Pentagon Told to Prepare Options for Strikes on Iran Before Midterm Elections

Dragon Media News Desk

The White House has instructed the Pentagon to prepare options for possible U.S. strikes on Iran before the November 3 midterm elections, The Atlantic reported. Citing administration officials, the magazine said discussions are continuing over whether to launch an attack, its scope and potential targets. No final decision has been made.

According to The Atlantic, the Pentagon has also presented the president with options for resuming military operations after the elections, including strikes on Iranian energy facilities. Administration sources said Trump wants to lower fuel prices and demonstrate progress in the conflict before the vote.

The report said that even supporters of limited strikes acknowledge that such action alone would not bring Iran to the negotiating table, restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz or lower fuel prices before the election. They argue that an attack could demonstrate Trump’s strength and help Republican candidates. Trump has said the eight-month conflict could flare up again, potentially followed by a large-scale military operation after the midterm elections.

Sources said Trump had made clear to his aides that he was ready to launch a new strike against Iran. His advisers, however, believe the right time would be after the midterm elections, as an attack beforehand could put the war and rising fuel prices back in voters’ minds and cause further political damage to the Republican Party.

A strike would put about 50,000 U.S. troops in the Middle East and U.S. allies in the Gulf at risk of retaliation, while further depleting American weapons stocks. The report said many of Trump’s supporters want the United States to withdraw from the war to curb domestic inflation. But an attack could have the opposite effect, The Atlantic reported. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, oil prices generally rise when Washington resumes strikes after a pause.