Report: US and Israel Consider Renewed Strikes on Iran After Midterms

Israel and the United States are reportedly advancing plans for another military operation against Iran, potentially following the U.S. midterm elections in November. According to a report published overnight Wednesday into Thursday by The New York Times, citing American officials briefed on the discussions, the proposed operation could last approximately three days and target nuclear facilities, energy infrastructure, and stockpiles of missiles and drones.

The report follows a secret meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, which American officials said focused on the possibility of renewed strikes against Iran.

A White House official declined to comment on military plans that "may or may not exist," adding that President Donald Trump continues to keep all options on the table to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

According to the report, the American military buildup in the region is expected to be completed in early November and could include three aircraft carriers, thousands of Marines, fighter jets, and special forces. Another factor reportedly being considered is Iran's transition to winter time next month, which would extend the hours of darkness and provide a longer window for potential operations.

Speaking to reporters overnight, Trump said: "The United States is not negotiating with Iran. Something on that subject is expected fairly soon. It seems most people think it will happen after the elections. We'll see what happens."

Meanwhile, NBC reported that the U.S. military is reducing its presence at bases in Jordan, Qatar, and Kuwait, while the State Department is scaling back diplomatic staffing across the region. The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia is also expected to operate on an emergency-only basis.

According to two American officials and two additional sources cited in the report, the measures are being taken in response to regional threats, including those posed by Iran. U.S. Central Command said the troop movements were intended to improve operational readiness but declined to provide further details for security reasons.

Separately, The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran's floating oil reserves have been completely depleted, a development that could increase the impact of the naval blockade and further restrict Tehran's ability to export oil to China.

Iranian officials have warned that any renewed military strikes could prompt retaliation against data centers and undersea communication cables, in addition to ships and energy infrastructure.