US President Donald Trump has left open the possibility of renewed military action against Iran after the November 3 midterm elections, as a report by The Wall Street Journal says Washington and Israel are preparing for a potential new offensive.
According to the report, the United States has warned several Gulf Arab countries to prepare for a possible short but intense military campaign designed to weaken Iran and pressure its leadership into negotiations. The reported preparations come as diplomatic efforts remain stalled and tensions over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz continue.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Lubbock, Texas, Trump said further military action remained possible, describing the United States as being in a strong position against Tehran. He did not confirm whether he would authorise additional attacks after the elections.
“Anything is possible, including further military action against Iran,” Trump said, according to the supplied report.
The president also claimed that Iran wanted an agreement but was delaying negotiations. He suggested that Tehran might be waiting for the US midterm elections before making a decision, while warning that postponing an agreement would not benefit Iranian leaders.
US and Israel Reportedly Prepare for Potential Offensive
The Wall Street Journal reported that diplomatic and military communications with Gulf Arab countries were among the indications that Washington and Israel were preparing for the possibility of renewed large-scale operations against Iran.
People familiar with the discussions reportedly said the Pentagon was repositioning forces, reinforcing regional air defences and replenishing ammunition supplies. The reported measures included moving a Patriot air-defence battery from Texas to the Middle East and relocating personnel away from military installations considered vulnerable to Iranian retaliation.
US bombers and fighter aircraft were also reportedly being prepared for potential strikes. The report further indicated that an additional aircraft carrier strike group and a Marine expeditionary unit could join US naval forces already operating in the region.
However, Trump has not publicly confirmed a final decision to launch a new offensive. The White House also declined to comment on what it described as sensitive military plans that may or may not exist.
In its statement, the administration said the president continued to keep all options available to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Reported military options could include attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, missile systems and drone capabilities. Such operations could place additional pressure on Iran’s economy while attempting to change Tehran’s position in future negotiations.
Trump Claims Iran Has Suffered Major Military and Economic Damage
During his Texas appearance, Trump described the US military campaign as a major success, claiming American operations had substantially weakened Iran’s armed forces and damaged its economy.
He also asserted that Iran was experiencing exceptionally high inflation and facing severe financial pressure. Trump reportedly claimed that the country’s inflation rate had reached 301% in the days before his remarks, although the supplied material does not independently establish that figure.
The president again stressed that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons, a central justification cited by his administration for maintaining military pressure on Tehran. Iran has repeatedly denied seeking to develop nuclear weapons.
Trump also referred to US B-2 stealth bomber operations and the military campaigns known as Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury. He claimed the operations had destroyed Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity and left the country significantly weakened militarily and financially.
“We obliterated Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity with Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury,” Trump said, according to the supplied report.
These statements reflect the administration’s account of the military campaign. The extent of the damage to Iran’s nuclear programme, military capabilities and economy would require independent verification.
Iran’s nuclear activities and the future of its enrichment programme remain central issues in the confrontation between Tehran, Washington and Israel.
Trump Calls Strait of Hormuz the ‘Strait of Trump’
The Strait of Hormuz remains another major source of tension. The narrow waterway connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is one of the world’s most important routes for international oil and gas shipments.
Trump claimed the United States had complete control over the strait and jokingly suggested renaming it the “Strait of Trump.”
The dispute over the waterway has complicated efforts to reach a lasting agreement. Disruptions to shipping through Hormuz can affect energy supplies, increase transportation costs and create uncertainty in international oil and gas markets.
The supplied report says Iran responded to the conflict with missile and drone attacks across the region and effectively closed the strait. Any renewed fighting could further threaten commercial vessels and energy infrastructure throughout the Gulf.
For countries dependent on imported energy, prolonged disruption could lead to higher fuel costs and wider economic consequences.
Gulf Countries Face Growing Security Concerns
The reported preparations for another offensive have heightened concerns about the potential regional consequences of renewed US-Israeli strikes.
According to the supplied material, Washington has strengthened its military posture in the Middle East while taking steps to reduce the exposure of personnel at vulnerable installations. The report also describes changes to staffing at US diplomatic missions and the departure of nonessential personnel and family members from Saudi Arabia.
Iran has warned that further attacks could trigger retaliation against American military positions and other regional targets. Threats described in the report include energy facilities, airports, pipelines and infrastructure connected to commercial and military operations.
Such retaliation could extend the conflict beyond Iran’s borders, placing additional pressure on neighbouring countries and increasing risks for international shipping.
A renewed campaign could also create uncertainty for businesses, investors and governments monitoring developments across the Middle East. Oil prices, insurance costs for shipping and regional trade flows could all be affected by changes in the security situation.
Diplomatic Negotiations Remain at an Impasse
The possibility of further attacks comes as efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire have struggled to resolve major disagreements between Washington and Tehran.
The supplied report says the United States and Israel began their military campaign against Iran on February 28. Iran subsequently launched missile and drone attacks in the region, while the Strait of Hormuz became a central point of contention.
A memorandum of understanding was reportedly signed in June to establish a path towards a final peace agreement and an immediate cessation of hostilities across multiple fronts, including Lebanon. However, disagreements over its terms, particularly navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, prevented the arrangement from developing into a lasting settlement.
The material also describes renewed large-scale US strikes on the night of July 8, following Washington’s accusations that Tehran had violated understandings concerning the waterway. The US administration subsequently signalled a greater emphasis on economic pressure and sanctions.
The timeline and status of these reported agreements and military developments should be checked against independent reporting and official statements before publication.
The Strait of Hormuz is especially important to global energy markets. The supplied material estimates that around 25% of global oil trade and approximately 20% of global liquefied natural gas trade pass through the waterway, although these figures depend on the period and measurement used.
With Trump retaining the option of military action, Iran resisting US demands and regional forces reportedly preparing for possible escalation, developments after November 3 could shape the next phase of the confrontation. The White House has not confirmed that a new offensive has been authorised.