The White House has reportedly requested that the Pentagon draft military strike options targeting Iran, with the intent that such actions could be executed before the US midterm elections on November 3. When approached regarding these reports, a Pentagon official stated that the Department's responsibility is to develop and present military options to the president, though the official neither confirmed nor denied the existence of specific planning.
According to a report in The Atlantic, the scope of potential strikes, target lists, and final approval remain subject to internal debate. Several presidential advisers have argued that a strategic window for such action might be more suitable after the midterms to avoid potential spikes in domestic fuel prices. A White House official maintained that President Donald Trump has all options available at any time, adding that the United States is in a strong position and the president will take whatever course is best for the nation.
Separately, Axios reported that the Pentagon recently instructed US Central Command (CENTCOM) to conclude preparations for resuming major combat operations against Iran, encompassing energy, infrastructure, and nuclear facilities. While no fixed launch date has been set, US and Israeli sources suggest that any such action could potentially align with the Israeli parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27.
This planning follows a lengthy meeting of President Trump's national security team at Camp David last Friday. Furthermore, the president held direct talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday—their second conversation in recent days—following discussions between Netanyahu and his security cabinet. Any resumed offensive would involve US and Israeli forces operating in tandem.
Hostilities between the two nations began on February 28 when the US and Israel launched a war against Iran, resulting in regional missile counter-strikes and significant disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz. Although a memorandum of understanding mediated by Pakistan and Qatar led to a pause in June, diplomatic negotiations have since stalled due to disagreements over nuclear demands, sanctions, and maritime passage.
