President Donald Trump, earlier this month, vowed not to attack Iran again until after the midterm elections, although he has also given strong indications that he plans to do just that once the elections are over, next Tuesday.
Now, a new report indicates the government has told allies to prepare for that.
Sideview of B-1B Lancer Bomber. Image Credit: National Security Journal.
B-1B Lancer 2025 National Security Journal. Image Credit: Harry J. Kazianis/NSJ.
According to the Associated Press, American officials have told regional allies, including those in the Middle East, to prepare themselves for a resumption of military conflict with Iran after next week’s elections, and also to be prepared for Iran to retaliate.
The AP cited two diplomats who had been briefed, although the U.S. did not comment to the AP on the record.
The story made clear, though, that Trump has not made up his mind about attacking Iran again.
Will Diplomacy Prevail?
Diplomatic efforts are underway to stave off another escalation in the war.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said this week, per the AP, that Iran “continues to give diplomacy a chance to succeed” and continues to work with mediators from Qatar and elsewhere.
The United Arab Emirates foreign ministry, meanwhile, issued a statement this week calling on both the United States and Iran to “exercise wisdom and pursue political solutions to help contain tensions.”
This week, per the AP, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia as head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Pentagon’s lead military planning role. No reason has been given for Sylvia’s removal.
A Midterm Disruption?
The Daily Telegraph reported Thursday that Iran had been plotting to “disrupt” both Israel’s elections this week and the U.S. midterm vote next week.
The British newspaper even quoted an Iranian official as stating that “we have been looking into ways to recruit agents in both the American and Israeli regimes’ election processes.”
An Iranian source also told the newspaper that “powerful cyber groups” are attempting to hack American election systems.
It’s not clear, however, whether they can do so.
Another senior Iranian official told the Telegraph that it ultimately doesn’t matter who wins the elections in the United States or Israel.
Iran, the newspaper said, sees such efforts as an extension of the war itself.
Also, per the Telegraph, Esmail Baghaei, the Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, compared Israel’s election to the American movie Dr. Strangelove, calling it “a competition between rival gangs over who can commit more evil.” The spokesman, who earlier this year posted a clip from the TV series Homeland of the U.S. bombing a wedding, appears unusually well-versed in Hollywood’s output.
In Israel, Shin Bet is investigating allegations of foreign efforts to boost turnout for the Arab parties in Israel, although it is Qatar and Turkey who are associated with those efforts, and not Iran. Qatar’s foreign ministry has denied interference.
What’s the Plan?
CNN reported this week about potential plans for war in Iran.
Sources told CNN that the U.S. now has enough forces in the region and will be ready to act within 96 hours of the president’s go-ahead.
The U.S., CNN said, will not be seeking to “mow the lawn” or maintain the status quo, but rather will seek something more decisive, with the target list in Iran said to include “energy infrastructure, military sites and nuclear facilities.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, per the CNN report, had pushed for a joint military operation by the countries against Iran before Israel’s elections this week, but Trump had declined to issue a green light for such an attack.
Per the AP, the military action would likely last “several days,” although retaliation afterward would likely prolong the military conflict.
One Democratic Senator, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), said this week that he had been briefed on the war plan, and that “their plan is insane. It will lead to devastating escalation, and the likely destruction of our commitment to the rule of law.” Citing previous news reporting, Murphy also warned of “a prolongment and an escalation of this war that will be devastating for our security interests.”
About the Author: Stephen Silver
Stephen Silver is an award-winning journalist, essayist, and film critic, and contributor to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Broad Street Review, and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. For over a decade, Stephen has authored thousands of articles that focus on politics, national security, technology, and the economy. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @StephenSilver, and subscribe to his Substack newsletter.
