The United States and Israel have developed plans for possible renewed strikes against Iran after the U.S. Midterm elections, with preparations centered on a short but intensive campaign. Potential targets include Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile and drone arsenals, energy infrastructure and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command centers. One option reportedly includes striking Pickaxe Mountain, a deeply buried nuclear-related site.
The planning follows months of uncertainty after an earlier conflict between the two countries and the subsequent stalling of a U.S. -Iran memorandum of understanding. That arrangement was mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, but disagreements remained over Iran’s nuclear program and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy shipments.
Military preparations have included expanded exercises and flights over Iraq designed to practice strike maneuvers. The route passed through Syrian and Iraqi airspace and was consistent with a potential attack profile, although officials described the sortie as a training exercise intended to deter Iran.
The plans remain subject to President Donald Trump’s approval. A White House official said the administration would not comment on military plans that may or may not exist, while emphasizing that Trump was keeping options open to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
The timing has heightened political and military sensitivity. The Israeli flight took place shortly before Israel’s elections and on the same day Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Israel’s Ovda Air Base. Netanyahu has argued that Iran is rebuilding its nuclear capability and said Israel’s security agencies had been directed to eliminate the threat. Officials have warned that a visible operation near Iran could trigger a miscalculation, while others said the exercise was intended to signal deterrence rather than begin a new war.