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White House Asked Pentagon to Draft Iran Strike Options Before Midterms, Reports Say
The Atlantic and Axios report that the White House asked the Pentagon to draft options for striking Iranian targets before the November 3 midterms; no final decision has been made.
Why it matters
Less than a month before the November 3 midterm elections, the White House is weighing renewed strikes on Iran — a move that would mark a major escalation in the US-Iran confrontation and could swing oil prices and voter sentiment.
Full report
The Atlantic reported on October 7, citing two administration officials, that the White House has asked the Pentagon to draw up options for striking Iranian targets that could be executed before the midterms. The plans are being developed at US Central Command.
Axios reported the same day that the Pentagon instructed Central Command several days ago to complete preparations to potentially resume major combat operations in Iran. No date has been set, and President Trump has not made a final decision. US and Israeli officials said potential targets include nuclear, energy and infrastructure facilities, though they described pre-election action as relatively unlikely.
A White House official told Axios: "President Trump holds all the cards and will do whatever is best for the United States." A Department of Defense official wrote in an email: "The Department's job is to develop and present military options to the President."
Officials involved in the discussions warned that another strike could push oil prices higher and worsen inflation, and could increase the risk of Iranian retaliation against the roughly 50,000 US troops stationed in the region.
Context: a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday put Trump's approval rating at a record low of 32%, with the cost of living the top issue for voters. US-Iran talks remain stalled, with Qatari mediators still awaiting Tehran's response to a US counterproposal.
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