With US midterm elections just days away, American officials are quietly urging Middle Eastern governments and regional partners to brace for a possible new round of military action targeting Iran once voting is over.
Two diplomats familiar with the discussions said the same countries have also been cautioned to prepare for the prospect that Iran could seek to hit back against them.
The diplomats, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the sensitive messages delivered by US diplomatic and defence officials, said the warnings are being treated with heightened seriousness across the region.
They stressed, however, that US President Donald Trump has not reached a final decision on launching new strikes against Iran.
‘Anything’s possible,’ Trump says on more Iran strikes after election
Even so, Mr Trump has repeatedly indicated he is considering additional military action after the pivotal 3 November elections in the United States.
That rhetoric, combined with the latest behind-the-scenes push for allies to ready themselves for potential blowback, has put capitals around the Middle East on notice that a return to major operations may be approaching.
The White House and US officials declined to comment.
Speaking yesterday, Mr Trump did not rule out further strikes when questioned by reporters.
“I can’t tell you that certainly. But anything’s possible,” he said.
“I think with Iran, we’re in a very good position. It’s a question: when do I want to end it? Simply a question: when do I want to end it? We’ve decimated their military. We’ve decimated their finances. They have no money. They have inflation, the highest in the world, 301% as of a couple of days ago. But we’ll see what happens. We’re in good position regardless.”
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On social media yesterday, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran “continues to give diplomacy a chance to succeed” and is working with mediators to examine ideas Iran included in a proposal circulated last month. Mr Trump summarily rejected that proposal, but Mr Araghchi said Iran still wants it used as the foundation for returning to a ceasefire.
Separately, the United Arab Emirates Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling on all sides to “exercise wisdom and pursue political solutions to help contain tensions” and avert a slide back into full-scale operations in the war that began in late February.
According to the diplomats, US officials have told regional allies that any new phase of military action could extend for several days. Regional officials, they added, are nevertheless preparing for Iran and its proxy groups to respond — potentially setting off fighting that could drag on longer.
US officials have also encouraged partners to take precautionary steps, anticipating that Iran’s response could include retaliatory strikes aimed at energy facilities and other vital infrastructure.
