US alerts Gulf nations of brief but intense Iran war resumption after midterm polls

The US is stepping up military preparations in the Middle East and has alerted Gulf allies to a possible short, intense campaign against Iran after the November 3 midterm elections, as Washington weighs renewed strikes to force Tehran back to the negotiating table.According to the report, the US military is moving a Patriot missile defence system from Texas to strengthen air defences in the region.New Delhi,Oct 28, 2026 10:33 ISTThe United States has told several Gulf Arab countries to prepare for a possible “short, intense” military campaign against Iran after the November 3 midterm elections, even as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict continue, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people briefed on the discussions.The communications, conveyed through diplomatic and military channels, come amid signs that Washington and Israel are preparing for a possible resumption of large-scale military operations against Tehran.The reported preparations suggest that President Trump is weighing renewed strikes to weaken Iran’s military capabilities and push it towards negotiations, although he has yet to make a final decision.According to the report, the US military is moving a Patriot missile defence system from Texas to strengthen air defences in the region. American forces have also moved personnel away from bases considered vulnerable to Iranian attacks, while restocking ammunition and preparing bomber aircraft and fighter jets for possible strikes.An additional aircraft carrier strike group and a Marine expeditionary unit are also expected to join the roughly 20 US warships operating in the Middle East next month, the report said. Some vessels could rotate out as the naval deployment changes.Meanwhile, the White House declined to comment on the reported military preparations, saying it would not discuss “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,” it said.The reported US preparations come as Israel has also been considering fresh military action against Iran.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planned to launch new strikes earlier this month, targeting nuclear facilities, regime-linked sites and civilian infrastructure, but Trump opposed restarting the conflict ahead of the US midterm elections, the Financial Times reported.Three people familiar with the matter told the newspaper that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) were prepared to carry out the operation over the weekend of October 10. The proposed strikes were reportedly expected to be more intense than the joint US-Israeli attacks in February.Trump decided against resuming hostilities before the November 3 elections, the report said. It remains unclear whether Washington would have directly participated in the proposed Israeli operation.Israel has drawn up a fresh list of potential targets in Iran, including energy plants, nuclear facilities and regime-linked sites. The list reportedly includes civilian infrastructure that has not previously been struck.One source suggested the proposed operation could also have served as a negotiating tactic, with the final decision on renewed hostilities resting with Trump. The Pentagon did not comment on the report, the Financial Times said.Despite the reported decision to halt the October operation, renewed fighting in the coming weeks remains possible, according to the reports.Trump has repeatedly signalled that military action remains an option if Tehran does not agree to Washington’s demands. Speaking at a rally in Florida last week, he said the United States could launch another operation against Iran, referring to the earlier US-Israeli bombing campaign as “Epic Fury”.“We may do another little Epic Fury,” Trump said. “Or they’ll agree.” He also questioned Iran’s willingness to negotiate, saying Tehran should agree to talks if it wanted to avoid another round of fighting.The possibility of renewed strikes comes as the conflict, which began on February 28, approaches its eighth month. Rising fuel prices and concerns over the wider economic fallout have added to uncertainty over the war’s trajectory.- Ends