Report: US and Israel draw up plans for new strikes on Iran after midterms

The US and Israeli militaries have drawn up plans for renewed strikes on Iran that could come after the Nov. 3 US congressional elections, The New York Times reported, citing US officials and others briefed on the deliberations. The paper described a "short but intensive" operation. Possible targets include energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities and missile and drone arsenals. Exercises have been stepped up, including flights over Iraq to rehearse strike runs.

It is far from certain that President Donald Trump will approve such an operation, the report said, noting he has repeatedly rejected plans this year to return to major combat. A White House official told the paper the administration does not comment on military plans "that may or may not exist." Trump told reporters on Wednesday that Washington is not currently negotiating with Tehran and that something will happen "one way or the other" and "fairly soon." Most people seem to think it will be after the election, he added.

According to US officials, another major round of strikes could weaken Iran's economy enough to force diplomatic concessions. Three aircraft carriers, thousands of Marines and special operations forces are expected to be in the region by early November, the report said. A Revolutionary Guards spokesman warned, according to the SNN agency, that Iran would show the US the "Father of All Bombs." The war began on Feb. 28. A memorandum of understanding signed in June with Pakistani and Qatari mediation has stalled, partly over shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.