US military officials have reportedly been instructed to prepare for possible renewed strikes against Iran before the November midterm elections, amid escalating tensions, rising energy costs and warnings from Tehran about potential pre-emptive military action.
The US military has reportedly been instructed to prepare for the possible resumption of major combat operations against Iran ahead of the November midterm elections, according to a report citing US officials.
The Pentagon instructed US Central Command several days ago to complete preparations for renewed military operations in Iran, Axios reported, citing US and Israeli sources. According to the report, potential strikes could take place before the US midterm elections scheduled for November 3 and possibly before Israel’s elections, which are expected to be held a week earlier.
The reported military preparations could include large-scale bombing campaigns targeting Iranian energy infrastructure, military and nuclear facilities. The developments come amid continued tensions between Washington, Tel Aviv and Tehran following months of military confrontation.
The possibility of renewed strikes has also raised concerns over the impact on the US economy, particularly energy prices. With less than a month remaining before the US midterm elections, affordability and the cost of living have emerged as major concerns for American voters.
Rising energy prices linked to the conflict have increased costs across several sectors, including shipping, trucking, aviation and food. The economic pressure could become a significant political issue for the administration and the ruling Republican Party as voters prepare to cast ballots.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday showed US President Donald Trump’s approval rating at 32 per cent, unchanged from a September survey that recorded the lowest approval rating of his political career, according to the report. The poll also found that the cost of living remained the leading concern among Americans as they considered their voting choices for the upcoming midterm elections.
Meanwhile, Iran has signalled that it could respond to any potential attack with preemptive military action. Iranian Army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said Tehran would be prepared to conduct preemptive operations if necessary to prevent what it considers aggression by an adversary.
Speaking to the semi-official Fars news agency, Akraminia said Iran’s armed forces had shifted their military doctrine from a primarily defensive approach toward a more offensive strategy. He said the doctrine had been applied during the conflict involving the United States and Israel.
Akraminia cited what he described as previous preemptive operations, including a missile strike against a US base in Jordan in late July and missile and drone attacks against bases of groups described by Tehran as “counter-revolutionary and separatist” organisations in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region.
He argued that such operations, when carried out according to principles including necessity, urgency and proportionality, could be considered legitimate. He also claimed that the strike against the US base had allowed Iran to seize the initiative and restrict the opposing side’s ability to respond.
Asked about the possibility of a US ground invasion of Iran, Akraminia said he believed Washington would not undertake such an operation. He nevertheless indicated that Iran was preparing for future military challenges.
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The Iranian Army spokesman also said Iran had decided to increase the range of its missile systems following the war involving the United States and Israel.
The reports of possible renewed US military operations come at a politically sensitive time, with the US midterm elections approaching and economic concerns dominating voter priorities. Any major escalation involving Iran could therefore have consequences not only for regional security but also for global energy markets and domestic political debates in the United States.
