The United States and Israel have drawn up plans for a possible resumption of large-scale strikes against Iran after the November 3 US midterm elections, The New York Times reports, citing US officials and other sources familiar with the discussions. Tehran has warned neighboring countries against supporting any renewed military campaign.
According to the newspaper, the plans envisage a short but intensive military operation. The US and Israeli armed forces have stepped up preparations and are conducting training flights over Iraq to rehearse potential strikes.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel on October 19, CBS News reported, amid discussions about a possible resumption of military operations against Iran.
Potential targets include Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile and drone arsenals, and energy infrastructure, according to The New York Times. Some US military planners believe an operation lasting about three days could inflict serious damage on Iran’s economy and increase pressure on Tehran in negotiations.
No final decision on new strikes has been made. A White House spokesman said the administration does not comment on military plans “that may or may not exist,” adding that President Donald Trump is keeping all options open to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Trump previously postponed planned strikes
The US and Israel came close to launching a new round of strikes in early October, according to The New York Times. Both militaries had completed preparations and placed aircraft on heightened alert, but Trump postponed the operation shortly before its planned launch.
Earlier, The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reported that Trump was considering resuming bombing after the November elections. The newspaper said the president had repeatedly delayed a decision on returning to large-scale military operations.
Meanwhile, the United States is strengthening its military presence in the Middle East, with additional ships, aircraft and troops being deployed to the region, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Iran warns neighboring countries
Amid reports of a possible new military campaign, Tehran has stepped up warnings to countries across the Middle East.
Feda-Hossein Maleki, a member of the Iranian parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, told Russia’s RIA Novosti news agency that regional countries had been warned not to support the United States if hostilities resume.
Maleki said Iran had previously struck US bases in countries whose territory was used for operations against the Islamic Republic.
He warned that any new escalation could prompt Tehran to go beyond targeting military bases, adding that countries assisting Washington could be regarded as hostile by Iran.
IRGC announces shift toward offensive operations
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesman Hossein Mohebbi has also said Iran’s military doctrine has changed. In an interview with Iran’s Student News Network on October 21, he said that while the country had previously focused primarily on responding to attacks, it was now prepared to take offensive action.
“If any country attacks us, we will not only respond, but will also launch an offensive,” IranWire quoted Mohebbi as saying.
He said Iran intended to use asymmetric warfare tactics and pursue what he described as “permanent deterrence.”
Mohebbi also announced preparations to unveil a new weapon that Iran calls the “father of all bombs.” He did not provide verified technical specifications for the weapon.