SRINAGAR: The United States has asked several Gulf Arab countries to prepare for a possible military operation against Iran following the November 3 midterm elections, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, citing people briefed on the discussions.
The proposed operation was described as a “short, intense military campaign”. According to the newspaper, the communications, delivered through diplomatic and military channels, indicate that Washington and Israel are preparing for another round of major military operations aimed at weakening Iran and pressuring it to return to negotiations.
The US military is strengthening its presence in the region, with a Patriot missile defence system being moved from Texas to the Middle East. Troops have also been relocated from bases considered vulnerable, while American forces are replenishing ammunition supplies and preparing bombers and fighter jets for possible strikes, the WSJ reported, citing officials.
An additional aircraft carrier strike group and a Marine expeditionary unit are expected to join approximately 20 US warships deployed in the Middle East next month, the newspaper added.
President Donald Trump has not taken a final decision on fresh military action but is leaning towards a “large postelection attack” that could target Iranian infrastructure and nuclear facilities, the report said, citing people familiar with his thinking.
The White House declined to comment on what it described as “sensitive military plans that may or may not exist”.
“President Trump keeps all options on the table to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon,” the White House said.
Addressing a campaign rally in Lubbock, Texas, on Tuesday, Trump made fresh remarks about Iran, saying, “You’ll see Iran in a couple of weeks, if you don’t mind.”
Claiming that American military operations had destroyed Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities, he said: “We obliterated Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity with Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury and defeated them militarily, financially and otherwise. And it will all end very soon.”
“It could be over whenever I wanted it to be over,” he added.
Trump had previously stated that he would not attack Iran before the midterm elections.
The latest developments come amid the continuing fallout from the war launched by the US and Israel against Iran on February 28. Tehran retaliated with missile and drone attacks across the region and effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global energy supplies.
