The United States and Israel are preparing military options for renewed operations against Iran, but President Donald Trump has not approved a new attack and has said U.S. Strikes will not resume before the November 3 midterm elections. The planning follows months of intermittent fighting and stalled indirect negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the conditions for reopening the waterway.
The proposed target set includes Iran’s missile and drone forces, energy facilities and other military sites. Separate planning has also examined broader strikes against nuclear and infrastructure targets. The Pentagon directed U.S. Central Command to prepare options, but officials said the order did not set an execution date and that the scale and timing remain under debate.
Iranian attacks on shipping have already complicated traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil route, and U.S. A limited strike would not by itself be expected to reopen the strait, force negotiations or lower fuel prices before Election Day. Trump has repeatedly left open the possibility of larger attacks after the vote, while officials continue to weigh diplomatic and military options.