Trump Weighs Iran Escalation as Israel Pushes for Joint Strikes After Midterms/ NEWSLOOKS/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ US forces could launch potentially major operations against Iran within 96 hours of a presidential order, according to officials cited by CNN. Trump has not made a final decision as he weighs diplomacy against renewed military action, while Israel reportedly seeks coordinated strikes. Intelligence warnings about retaliation are prompting additional precautions for American personnel across the Middle East.
Quick Look
- Military readiness: Two US officials said sufficient forces are deployed for potential operations against Iran.
- Decision pending: Officials said Trump has not approved a new campaign and could still change course.
- Potential targets: Military planners have developed options involving energy infrastructure, military sites and nuclear facilities.
- Likely timing: Sources described operations after the US midterms as more likely, without identifying a confirmed date.
- Retaliation concerns: Intelligence assessments anticipate an immediate Iranian and Houthi response if Iran is attacked.
- Diplomatic precautions: Further embassy staffing reductions are expected, according to CNN’s sources.
- Israeli pressure: Sources said Netanyahu sought earlier strikes; his office denied the account.
- Hormuz tensions: The US continues its blockade of Iranian ports while assisting commercial shipping.
Deep Look
Trump Weighs Iran Agreement Against Renewed Military Campaign
President Donald Trump is considering whether to pursue an agreement with Iran or authorize another military campaign alongside Israel, as American forces prepare options for a potentially substantial escalation.
Fox News described Trump as weighing a renewed effort to “finish them off” against a negotiated settlement with Tehran.
According to two US officials cited by CNN, American forces in the Middle East could begin new operations “within 96 hours of receiving” an order from the president.
The officials said enough forces are already deployed to carry out potential attacks. Their readiness does not mean Trump has approved a campaign or established a launch date.
Military Options Could Extend Beyond Limited Strikes
The contemplated operations would likely exceed the limited attacks conducted since Trump halted full combat operations earlier this year, CNN’s sources said.
Those previous strikes targeted assets such as radars and launchers that Iran could replace relatively quickly — an approach the officials described as efforts to “mow the lawn.”
“It will be a big effort,” one US official told CNN.
Other current and former officials familiar with planning discussions believe Trump could authorize operations before the end of the year, most likely after the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
However, officials cautioned that Trump has previously appeared inclined toward military action before reversing course.
The White House declined to comment.
“The Department is a planning organization, and its job is to develop and execute military options ordered by the President,” a senior Pentagon official told CNN.
Iranian Adaptation Complicates Potential Attacks
US officials acknowledged that Iranian forces have become more familiar with American tactics, potentially making it harder to destroy all intended targets.
Central Command and Pentagon leaders have nevertheless developed a broad target list covering Iranian energy infrastructure, military installations and nuclear facilities.
Fox News also cited recent satellite imagery suggesting that Iran may be rebuilding some nuclear facilities.
The prospect of renewed fighting has heightened anxiety among Iranian civilians, with the Associated Press reporting panic-buying of goods.
Intelligence Warns of Threats to American Personnel
An unclassified Oct. 23 intelligence memorandum warned that Iran had intensified efforts to target Americans overseas.
The memo, sent by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said “Iran has substantially increased efforts to target US personnel” and that plotting efforts “have reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries.”
Fox News reported that US officials confirmed the document’s authenticity. Axios first reported the memo.
Sources familiar with recent US intelligence assessments told CNN that Iran and the Houthis were taking the possibility of renewed American and Israeli attacks seriously.
If Iran is struck, they would likely retaliate immediately against US personnel and facilities throughout the region, potentially extending beyond the Middle East.
One source said intelligence officials considered preemptive escalatory attacks against Americans or Israel unlikely at this stage, while assessing that Iran and the Houthis would respond if attacked first.
Embassy Staffing and Military Rotations Face Changes
The threat environment is contributing to expectations of further reductions in American diplomatic staffing.
The US Embassy in Riyadh is currently the region’s only American diplomatic facility under an ordered departure, according to CNN’s reporting. Non-emergency government employees and their family members were instructed to leave Saudi Arabia amid escalating Houthi attacks.
A source told CNN that other embassies could receive similar directives. Facilities without ordered departures could instead operate under personnel caps.
Separately, a US official said nonessential military personnel previously scheduled to deploy during the next Middle East troop rotation had been told they would no longer be sent.
Hormuz Standoff Remains a Pressure Point
Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper visited the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday as American forces continued blockading Iranian ports and assisting shipping through the waterway.
CENTCOM said Cooper “observed the current operational environment” during a helicopter flight and met personnel involved in clearing Iranian mines.
“We continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Gulf partners and the shipping industry,” Cooper said in a news release. “This visit underscores our strong commitment to continued freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.”
Although more tankers are passing through the strait, oil prices remain elevated, partly because of the risk of Iranian attacks.
One US official described the situation as “untenable” over the longer term.
Without a diplomatic breakthrough, that pressure could push Trump toward military action, even as questions remain about the administration’s broader strategy for ending the conflict.
Israel Reportedly Sought Earlier Joint Strikes
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pressed for additional attacks on Iran, according to two US officials and an Israeli security source cited by CNN.
The sources said Washington asked Israel to wait until American forces were ready for coordinated operations.
“Netanyahu really wanted and tried to convince Trump for a joint attack in Iran before the elections, and Trump did not give a green light,” the Israeli security source said.
Netanyahu’s office dismissed that account as “fake news.”
The Israeli source also said military chief of staff Eyal Zamir told Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine that an attack could disrupt Israel’s Tuesday election and force its postponement.
Israeli Officials Deny Reported Leadership Clash
Israel’s Channel 12 reported Sunday that Netanyahu and Zamir had an “unprecedented” confrontation less than 48 hours before the election.
According to that report, Zamir received an Iran-related directive from political leaders but requested a detailed discussion and legal authorization before acting. He reportedly feared a miscalculation could trigger immediate conflict.
Defense Minister Israel Katz called the report “completely baseless and false.”
Separately, Fox News reported that Israel began large-scale domestic military exercises Sunday, involving multiple divisions and air assets. The drills focused on surprise border infiltrations and ground raids across northern and central Israel.
Missile Defense Needs Shape Israeli Planning
Another source briefed on the matter told CNN that Israel had prepared for possible additional strikes over the preceding week and sought American participation.
Senior US officials, including Trump, reportedly urged Israel to delay while signaling that joint operations could follow.
Sources said Israel appeared to have postponed immediate strikes while preparing for possible coordinated action after the American midterms.
One factor was Israel’s need for US missile-defense assistance. Its defensive ammunition stocks have been strained during the war, and officials expect Iran and the Houthis to retaliate against further attacks.
Strategic Objectives Remain Under Scrutiny
A source familiar with recent US intelligence assessments said Netanyahu and his allies had not established a clear strategic objective beyond showing “progress” and further weakening Iran’s government.
Netanyahu said at an Israeli military graduation ceremony this week that he had instructed the military, Mossad and other security agencies to work toward toppling Iran’s government.
“The plans are ready, waiting for Trump’s approval, could be after the midterms,” the source told CNN.
Trump has also renewed criticism of former President Barack Obama’s nuclear agreement with Iran, describing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action as the “worst and dumbest deal” he had seen.
His remarks followed Obama’s criticism of the administration during a midterm campaign rally, adding another political dimension to a military decision that remains unresolved.
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