The US military is preparing options to resume large-scale strikes on Iran, possibly before the US midterm elections on 3 November, according to a US official and another person familiar with the internal talks. No final decision has been made. President Donald Trump and his national security team have discussed restarting major operations in the coming weeks.
Two administration officials say the Pentagon has been told to prepare options for possible strikes before the vote. A new campaign could include heavy bombing of Iran's energy sites, infrastructure and nuclear targets.
The two officials link the planning to Trump's wish to show progress in the conflict before Americans vote. Some in the administration say even limited strikes are unlikely to change much on the ground or bring down fuel prices, but would let Trump present himself as the winner before the election. The same officials say a bigger military operation could follow after the vote.
Trump's approval rating remains at a record low, and worry is growing over the cost of living, partly because petrol and diesel prices have jumped.
On Wednesday evening Trump spoke at a campaign rally with Republican candidates in San Antonio, Texas. He said a deal with Iran is not really something he wants. He said Tehran is ready to offer the US anything to make the strikes stop. He praised US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, who is working on an agreement with Iran, and said he is doing a very good job.
Talks have been stuck for weeks. On Tuesday, Trump spoke about the negotiations to end the conflict. "My biggest problem is that nobody knows who the hell is running the country," he said. He added that Iran's leaders are gone, and so is the second group of leaders.
Iran's government rejected his claim. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Washington knows who it is talking to and how decisions are made in Tehran. "The problem is actually the opposite: the contradictory positions and mixed messages from US officials," Baghaei said.