Iran hints at deploying ground troops in neighboring countries... Preparing for an offensive after the U.S. midterm elections

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim A-ram = The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 12th (local time) that Iran is preparing for the possibility of a resumption of war after the U.S. midterm elections in November by strengthening the defense of its nuclear facilities and hinting at sending ground troops to neighboring countries.

According to reports, Iranian officials have publicly warned that they will increase the level of military response throughout the Middle East if the United States launches a new attack, and have conveyed this position in private conversations with officials in the region.

The Iranian government is encouraging its citizens to prepare for a resumption of war by promoting training on the use of portable anti-aircraft missiles and holding pro-government rallies.

Satellite images also showed that Iran was strengthening its defense facilities in sensitive areas such as nuclear facilities and border areas, thereby increasing its defense capabilities against attacks.

The think tank Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) analyzed satellite images from satellite imaging company Banter and found that Iran had prepared defensive measures to prepare for infiltration by ground forces, such as building temporary earthen embankments around Pickaxe Mountain and the Natanz nuclear facility last month.

Sources familiar with Iran's warnings reported that some Iranian officials have hinted at the possibility of Iran deploying ground troops in neighboring countries to prevent further attacks by the United States.

Separately, sources added that Iran warned Arab authorities that it could attack regional targets, including oil facilities in Saudi Arabia, if fighting resumes.

Iran's security chief, Mohsen Rezai, secretary-general of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), also said in an interview with Iran's state-run Press TV the day before that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and regional data centers and internet cables could be attacked.

Analysis suggests that Iran has a limited ability to defend against attacks from the United States' advanced fighter jets and cruise missiles, so it has a strong incentive to deter U.S. attacks through threats.

“Iran is actively preparing for the next war in both words and actions,” said Behnam Ben Taleblu, an Iran expert at the think tank Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD). “In this sense, the Iranian regime’s measures have the dual characteristics of securing deterrence and establishing war plans.”

The United States is also preparing for the possibility of renewed fighting.

Previously, WSJ reported on the 1st that an additional aircraft carrier and 10,000 troops were moving to the Middle East region where two aircraft carriers were deployed.

Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he would not attack Iran before the midterm elections, but he did mention the possibility of attacking Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility.

U.S. officials cited by the WSJ said the U.S. military was preparing a variety of options for a new attack.

WSJ analyzed this move by both sides to strengthen their power, showing that neither the United States nor Iran are trying to end the deadlocked war more than seven months after the outbreak of the war, but rather are trying to find a breakthrough in a direction that is advantageous to each.