The White House has asked the Pentagon to develop options for possible strikes against Iranian targets before the November 3 US midterm elections, even as Washington and Tehran continue indirect contacts over a potential ceasefire and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The potential action comes after several weeks without US strikes on Iran, with President Donald Trump weighing whether renewed military operations could demonstrate progress in the eight-month conflict and help ease political pressure over high gasoline prices.
According to The Atlantic, citing two administration officials, the size, scope and targets of any potential strikes remain under discussion, and Trump has not made a final decision on whether to authorize military action.
US Central Command (CENTCOM), which is coordinating the US war effort, is developing the options. A Pentagon official, when asked about the reports, told Anadolu that the department’s job is to develop and present military options to the president, without confirming or denying the reported plans.
A White House official told The Atlantic that Trump “has all options available at any time” but did not address questions about the timing of possible strikes.
The planning highlights the political and economic calculations surrounding the conflict. Administration officials told The Atlantic that Trump wants to demonstrate progress in the war and reduce gasoline prices before voters head to the polls.
Limited strikes may not deliver
Supporters of limited military action acknowledge that strikes alone would not necessarily bring Iran back to the negotiating table, restore safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz or lower gasoline prices before Election Day.
However, those backing the idea believe even a limited operation could allow Trump to project strength, claim some form of victory and give Republican candidates much-needed momentum in the final stretch of the campaign.
A Republican familiar with the deliberations said a strike could make the president appear to have secured a win while creating expectations that gasoline prices would begin falling.
At the same time, some Trump advisers reportedly believe the more appropriate moment for renewed military action would be after the midterms. Their concern is that a renewed conflict, particularly if US troops are killed, could further hurt Republican candidates.
Pentagon prepares for possible operations
Separately, Axios reported that the Pentagon instructed US Central Command several days ago to finalize preparations for a possible resumption of major combat operations in Iran. The directive did not set a specific date for launching strikes, and Trump has not made a final decision.
If major combat operations resume, US and Israeli sources expect the campaign could involve extensive bombing of Iranian energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities and other strategic targets.
The Pentagon has also presented Trump with options for military action after the elections, ranging from limited strikes to a much broader campaign that could include additional attacks on Iran’s energy industry.
A resumption of the war in the next three to four weeks could itself influence the midterm elections, particularly if renewed fighting pushes oil and gasoline prices higher.
A White House official said Trump retains all options, while another US official described Washington as being in a strong position because of its control of the Strait of Hormuz and pressure on Iran’s economy.
The official said Trump would choose between an easier or harder path depending on what he believes is best for the United States.
Trump has kept open possibility of renewed war
Trump has repeatedly raised the possibility of restarting military action against Iran.
Last week, he said he expected the United States to win the war “right after the election,” before adding, “Maybe before the election.”
The president had earlier told the UN General Assembly in September that he expected to reach a deal with Iran after the November 3 midterm elections. He also warned that he faced a “big decision” between reaching an agreement and “annihilating” the Islamic Republic.
At a campaign rally in San Antonio, Texas, on Wednesday, Trump said his special envoy Steve Witkoff was making strong progress in negotiations with Iran, while indicating that a deal was not necessarily his preferred outcome.
“He’s working on the Iran deal and doing very well,” Trump told supporters, adding that Iran was willing to offer concessions to stop the conflict. He also reiterated that Iran would never have a nuclear weapon.
Trump praised Witkoff as a “great negotiator” and credited him with helping secure the Gaza ceasefire deal, while predicting that the war with Iran would end soon.
“That war ends – it’s going to be very soon. It’s got to be very soon,” Trump said, referring to Iran as a “failed nation.”
US-Iran negotiations remain deadlocked
The military planning comes as Washington and Tehran continue indirect communication through mediators, but remain divided over the terms and sequencing of a ceasefire, the US blockade and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Qatari mediators are reportedly still waiting for an Iranian response to a US counterproposal that includes demands for nuclear concessions. Negotiations have made little progress despite continued diplomatic contacts.
The Atlantic also reported that Iranian attacks on shipping earlier this week prompted some shipowners to reconsider using the Strait of Hormuz.
Vice President JD Vance said in a Reuters interview that any agreement would require concrete reductions in Iran’s uranium enrichment capacity. He also said Washington remained uncertain about how decisions were being made within Iran’s leadership and how much authority Tehran’s negotiating representatives actually possessed.
A senior Iranian official, meanwhile, said Washington’s nuclear demands conflict with Tehran’s position and stressed that recognition of Iran’s right to uranium enrichment remains a red line.
Camp David meeting focused on Iran strategy
The latest military deliberations follow a secret meeting of Trump’s national security team at Camp David on Friday, where the administration discussed the Iran war and other regional issues. Axios reported that the meeting was chaired by Vice President JD Vance and included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, special envoy Steve Witkoff, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen Dan Caine and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
An Israeli official told Axios that part of the meeting focused on a possible resumption of major combat operations in Iran. Rubio later described the gathering as part of “long-term” foreign policy planning.
The meeting came amid stalled negotiations and growing discussion inside Washington about whether the military campaign should resume.
One Israeli official said the possibility of renewed major combat operations had increased, although the chances of such action before the elections were not considered high. The official said the likelihood would rise significantly after the midterms.
Trump, Netanyahu step up coordination
Trump also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, marking their second call in several days after a period in which the two leaders had barely spoken.
A US official said the conversation focused on “remembrance and respect for the victims of the October 7 massacre.”
The call came after Netanyahu met with his national security team to discuss Iran. The Israeli prime minister had also spoken with Rubio on Monday.
If major combat operations resume, US and Israeli forces are expected to work in tandem, with the Israeli military potentially participating directly.
Two Israeli officials said Iran’s leadership was desperate and paranoid and could therefore decide to strike first, arguing that Tehran had already suffered two surprise attacks and would not want to experience a third.
A wider escalation could also affect Israel’s elections, which are expected about a week before the US midterms.
Iran would likely retaliate against any renewed US-Israeli offensive by firing hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel, according to the Israeli officials cited in the reports.
A renewed escalation, or even a heightened state of tension or emergency, could also provide political benefits for Netanyahu by strengthening the security narrative and limiting attacks from his opponents during the final phase of the campaign.
Strait of Hormuz remains key pressure point
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to both the military and diplomatic calculations. Any renewed US campaign would have to contend with the impact of the conflict on maritime traffic, energy supplies and global oil prices.
Washington’s continued blockade and the dispute over reopening the waterway remain among the major obstacles in negotiations with Tehran.
The Trump administration has also been reinforcing its regional posture as tensions persist. Recent US deployments include additional Patriot missile batteries in Saudi Arabia and Qatar to protect key oil and gas facilities amid fears of renewed Iranian attacks.
For now, however, no final decision has been made on whether US forces will resume strikes before the November 3 election. The White House is weighing military, diplomatic, economic and electoral considerations as it decides whether to extend the uneasy pause or return to major combat operations.
