Pentagon Prepares for Potential Military Action in Iran as Trump Considers Timing

<p>The Pentagon instructed U.S. Central Command several days ago to prepare for the possibility of resuming major combat operations in Iran, according to U.S. officials.</p><p><strong>Context:</strong> The directive did not specify a date for potential strikes, and President Trump has not made any final decisions. However, U.S. and Israeli sources suggest that action could occur before the U.S. midterm elections and possibly before the Israeli elections scheduled for a week earlier.</p><hr /><p><strong>Details:</strong> Should major combat operations resume, they are expected to involve significant bombing of Iranian energy, infrastructure, and nuclear targets, according to sources.</p><ul><li>Resuming operations within the next three to four weeks could impact the midterm elections, particularly if oil prices rise as a result.</li><li>A Pentagon official stated, "The Department's job is to develop and present military options to the President."</li><li>A White House official indicated that Trump has all options available at any time.</li><li>One official noted, "The U.S. is in a very strong position with control of the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian economy collapsing. Iran has been decimated, and things will go one of two ways: the easy way or the hard way. President Trump holds all the cards and will do whatever is best for the United States." </li><li>The Atlantic reported earlier that Trump is considering striking Iran before the midterm elections.</li></ul><p><strong>Current Developments:</strong> On Friday, Trump's national security team met at Camp David for several hours to discuss the war and other issues.</p><ul><li>An Israeli official stated that part of the meeting focused on the potential resumption of major combat operations in Iran.</li><li>Secretary of State Marco Rubio mentioned that the meeting centered on "long-term" foreign policy planning.</li><li>Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran have not progressed, with Qatari mediators awaiting an Iranian response to a U.S. counterproposal that includes nuclear concessions.</li><li>One Israeli official commented, "The discussion about possible resumption of major combat operations in Iran has increased. The chances of it happening before the elections is not high but we don't rule it out. After the midterms, the chances of it happening increase significantly." </li></ul><p><strong>Background:</strong> President Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, marking their second conversation in days after a period of limited communication.</p><ul><li>A U.S. official noted that Trump and Netanyahu discussed "remembrance and respect for the victims of the October 7 massacre."</li><li>The call followed a meeting Netanyahu held with his national security team regarding Iran.</li><li>Netanyahu also spoke with Rubio on Monday.</li><li>If major combat operations resume, they are likely to involve coordinated efforts between the U.S. and Israel, with the Israeli military participating.</li><li>Israeli officials indicated that the Iranian regime is in a desperate state, which could lead it to strike first.</li><li>They mentioned that Iran has experienced two surprise attacks and is keen to avoid a third.</li></ul><p><strong>Implications:</strong> The resumption of military operations could also influence the Israeli elections, as Iran would likely retaliate by launching hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel.</p><ul><li>An escalation or heightened state of tension could politically benefit Netanyahu by limiting criticism from his opponents in the campaign's final stretch.</li></ul>