President Donald Trump is considering renewed military strikes on Iran, likely just after the midterm elections, The Atlantic reported, citing officials. The report came as Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy claimed it had hit seven vessels in the Persian Gulf and near the Strait of Hormuz, a claim that has not been confirmed outside Tehran.1,5,8
The plan under consideration would involve several days of strikes on Iran's missile and drone arsenal, energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities, officials told the magazine. It would pair two approaches Trump has heard from advisers: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's argument that a U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, combined with sanctions, will force Iran to negotiate, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's call for one more round of strikes to topple the regime. One outside adviser said, "the economic pressure is working, and we believe Iran is getting close to the edge."1
Trump has signaled that a decision is near. On Wednesday night he told reporters, "Most people seem to think it's after the election, and we're going to see what happens." On Thursday he said, "We've knocked the hell out of them. And we may do it a little bit further." Asked about negotiations, he first said, "A little bit, but we'll see what happens," then, "I think we're not negotiating."2
The White House has ruled out American strikes before the midterms. "The United States will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the midterm elections," Anna Kelly said Thursday. Breitbart identified her as a White House spokesperson, while the Daily Caller News Foundation called her principal deputy press secretary. Trump has not authorized another offensive, leaving the decision on whether to resume strikes in his hands.2,5
The New York Times reported Wednesday, citing senior U.S. officials, that American and Israeli planners had developed plans for a "short but intensive operation" in Iran aimed at forcing "diplomatic concessions" by weakening its economy. Breitbart described the plan as a potentially three-day offensive, while DW's account did not give a length. Proposed targets include petrochemical facilities and the Pickaxe Mountain nuclear complex. Two U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups are in the Arabian Sea, with a third expected by late November.2,8
ABC News reported Thursday, citing two Israeli sources, that Israeli officials expect a joint offensive shortly after the midterms. "Hunting season is open as soon as the elections end and it's obvious that they're not going to wait long," one source said. Netanyahu declared Wednesday, "There is only one way to remove this threat once and for all: overthrow the regime in Iran." Israel holds its election on October 27.2,8
War Secretary Pete Hegseth made an unannounced visit to Israel on Monday, when plans for renewed strikes were discussed, one Israeli source said. Hegseth told reporters Tuesday, "We've done historic devastation to their military capabilities, but if they're not willing to give it up and the president asks to go even further — we're prepared." U.S. Central Command declined to discuss specific deployments, citing operational security.2
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy said Thursday it had hit seven vessels. It said four ships it had tracked, which it alleged were conducting illegal ship-to-ship oil transfers, were struck and caught fire in the northern Persian Gulf on Wednesday, and three more struck naval mines west of the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state television said three oil tankers were damaged and immobilized. The claims have not been confirmed outside Tehran, and the Iranian military did not identify the vessels. Al Jazeera called the attacks a "major escalation." If confirmed, the Associated Press reported, they would be the largest number of commercial vessels damaged in one day near the strait since the U.S. and Israel launched the war on February 28.5,6
Iran has threatened a broader response if strikes resume. Maj. Gen. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, told Drop Site News that "cables, data centers and artificial intelligence facilities could also come within range" in the event of war. "If the conflict begins again, we will have a broader plan," he warned. Mohammad-Saleh Jokar, chairman of the parliament's Internal Affairs Committee, asked authorities to permit "the use of deterrent weapons, including nuclear weapons" if the United States attacks, according to Iran International.2
Brent crude topped $113, its highest level since May. Senator Elizabeth Warren said at least 23 U.S. service members had been killed and more than $45 billion in "taxpayer dollars" had been spent on the war. "Nobody can seem to explain what this war has accomplished or when it will end," Warren said.4,6
Analysts offered differing views. Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft said, "The forces pulling matters toward another round of war are much stronger than the forces pushing back." Steven Bucci, a Heritage Foundation visiting fellow and former Pentagon official, said, "Iran is in the death throes of its military capability."5
Iran's latest proposal, sent through Qatari mediators, would reopen the Strait of Hormuz under Iranian control in exchange for lifting the U.S. blockade, releasing frozen assets and ending military actions. "For now, we are facing a deadlock," Rahman Ghahremanpour, a Tehran-based political analyst, said. "Iranian officials do not appear optimistic about reaching an agreement."8
