Iran braces for possible renewed US-Israeli strikes after elections

Iranian authorities are preparing for the possibility of renewed US or Israeli attacks after the United States and Israel hold elections, according to reporting cited by DW and NPR. The reported planning has introduced a political timetable into a conflict that began in late February, while Tehran says it is preparing both military and internal responses. The US midterm elections are scheduled for November 3 and Israel’s election for October 27.

DW reports that high energy prices linked to the war are damaging Donald Trump’s Republican Party, and that Trump said on October 8 that the United States would not attack Iran before the midterms because of “productive discussions” with Tehran. That restraint could change after voting ends. Citing senior US officials, The New York Times reported that Washington and Israel had developed plans for a “short but intensive operation” targeting possible nuclear facilities, energy infrastructure and missile and drone arsenals.

The reported aim would be to pressure Iran into diplomatic concessions by further weakening its economy. NPR separately reported that the two countries were planning for a possible post-election attack, citing an anonymous source. Neither report establishes that a decision to launch has been made, and the material describes possible options rather than a confirmed timetable.

The United States last carried out strikes on Iran in early September. DW also reports that Washington has maintained a blockade of Iranian oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz and that two US aircraft-carrier strike groups are currently in the Arabian Sea, with a third expected by late November. Further reports have focused on potential targets and weapons.

Axios said the Pentagon instructed US Central Command to prepare for renewed major combat operations. Trump has discussed a strike on Pickaxe Mountain near the Natanz nuclear complex, where US officials believe sensitive nuclear-related material may have been moved underground. CNN reported that he was considering a Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, though DW notes that such a weapon’s above-ground blast would have limited effectiveness against deeply buried facilities.

Tehran says any new attack would draw a broad response, potentially including US bases and energy facilities in the Gulf. Ali Asghar Shafieian, a media adviser to Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, acknowledged the American technological and military advantage but said Iran’s strategy was to preserve the regime rather than match US power directly. Iranian officials say missile and drone capabilities damaged during the opening weeks of the war are being rebuilt.

Reuters, as cited by DW, reported that Tehran was preparing for renewed attacks rather than pursuing a settlement, while also prolonging negotiations in an effort to weaken Trump politically before the midterms. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran would consider diplomacy if Washington showed a sincere desire to build trust and reach a just solution. He warned that cooperation by regional states with another US or Israeli operation would provoke a “decisive and proportionate response.” Tehran’s preparations also include domestic security, according to analyst Rahman Ghahremanpour.

He said officials were preparing for protests, armed opposition and possible internet restrictions, seeking to prevent foreign military pressure from combining with internal unrest. The stated objective, he said, is to convince Washington that military regime change is impossible.