U.S. Urges Gulf States to Prepare for Possible Iran Operation After Midterms, WSJ Reports

The reported preparations aim to pressure Tehran into negotiations. Trump has not approved an operation, and no attack has been confirmed or scheduled.

The United States has urged several Arab states in the Persian Gulf to prepare for a possible short, intensive military operation against Iran after the November 3 U.S. midterm elections, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people briefed on the discussions.

President Donald Trump has not made a final decision on whether to proceed. The newspaper reported that he is leaning toward supporting a large scale attack, but the preparations do not amount to authorization for military action.

Preparations aimed at pressuring Iran into negotiations

According to the Journal, contacts through diplomatic and military channels are among several indications that Washington and Israel are preparing for possible high intensity operations against Tehran. The reported objective is to pressure Iran into negotiations.

The newspaper reported that U.S. forces have been replenishing munitions and preparing aircraft for possible strikes. The military is also bringing in additional missile defenses and has moved personnel away from vulnerable bases, according to officials familiar with the preparations.

The White House declined to discuss potential military plans, while saying Trump was keeping all options available to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. The Defense Department said its role was to provide the president with options.

Diplomatic efforts continue alongside military planning

The military preparations come alongside diplomatic efforts to prevent renewed fighting. In an earlier report, the Journal said regional mediators were working to revive talks as Washington sent additional forces to the Middle East and Israel prepared plans for possible strikes.

Another U.S. aircraft carrier heads to the region

Trump had said the United States would not attack Iran before the November 3 vote. The Journal also reported that another U.S. aircraft carrier was heading to the region, although it was unclear whether three carrier groups would remain there simultaneously.

Iran warns of retaliation if strikes resume

Iran, meanwhile, has warned of retaliation if the United States and Israel resume their air campaign. In separate reporting, the Journal said Tehran had communicated publicly and through diplomatic channels that its response could target American bases and warships, as well as airports, pipelines and other civilian infrastructure in Gulf countries.

The newspaper reported that Iran retained significant missile and drone stocks. It also cited U.S. and regional officials who believed Tehran had resumed limited ballistic missile production using stored components and underground facilities.