US Tells Allies to Brace for Iran Strikes After Midterms

Washington has instructed several Middle East nations to prepare for renewed US military action against Iran, officials said.

Two diplomats briefed on the matter stated that the US warned allies to expect potential strikes after the November 3 midterm elections. They also cautioned that Iran might attempt to retaliate against those countries. Both diplomats spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the sensitive warnings.

President Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision on whether to order new strikes, the diplomats emphasized. However, the president has repeatedly indicated he is weighing military action once the elections conclude. The White House and US officials declined to comment on the specific preparations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X on Wednesday that Tehran continues to give diplomacy a chance to succeed. He said the country is working with mediators to review ideas from a proposal floated last month. Trump had summarily rejected that proposal, but Iranian officials still want to use it as the basis for a return to a ceasefire.

The United Arab Emirates foreign ministry issued a statement urging both sides to exercise wisdom and pursue political solutions. The ministry called for actions to contain tensions and prevent a return to full-scale operations in the war that began in late February.

US officials told regional allies that a new round of military action could last several days. However, regional officials are bracing for retaliatory strikes from Iran and its proxy groups, which could extend the conflict. The US urged allies to take precautionary measures, anticipating that Iran’s response would target energy facilities and other crucial infrastructure.

The US has not carried out a strike against Iran since early September. The conflict has spread, with Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacking Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure and airports. A Saudi-led coalition has responded with deadly attacks on Houthi-held territory in Yemen. It is unclear how soon after Election Day the US military would be ready to resume strikes.

The Pentagon deployed the USS Theodore Roosevelt and amphibious landing ships from San Diego to the Persian Gulf late last month. This deployment includes roughly 9,000 troops and could create a naval presence of more than 20,000 sailors and Marines in the region. The Navy had three carrier strike groups in the Middle East in April for the first time since 2003. The cost of the war has grown to $47.1 billion, according to the latest Pentagon estimate provided to Congress. Trump told a crowd in Lubbock, Texas, on Tuesday that a conclusive end to the conflict could be coming in a couple of weeks.