Iran reportedly fortifies nuclear sites as it prepares for possible U.S. strikes after midterms

Iran is reportedly working to bolster its military capabilities in preparation for possible renewed U.S. attacks after the November midterm elections.

The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that the Islamic Republic has been strengthening defenses around sensitive locations like nuclear sites, and telling regional officials that Tehran will respond to any new U.S. strikes with retaliatory measures across the Middle East.

The WSJ's report also said the Iranian regime is preparing its population for war by holding rallies, sending paramilitaries to read war stories to young children and advertising training in firing defensive missiles.

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that American forces would not attack Iran before the congressional midterm elections, which will take place on Nov. 3.

The Iranian and U.S. governments did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the WSJ report.

Meanwhile, a Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis – a Yemeni militant group backed by Tehran – said it had intercepted a ballistic missile shot at Riyadh, the Saudi capital, on Monday, news agency Reuters reported.

The Houthis have been attacking the Saudi capital since last week, launching multiple strikes on energy facilities and airports. One airport attack resulted in multiple deaths, including a pilot working for Saudi carrier Saudia.

The closure of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has been extended until Saturday.

On Monday, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration urged airlines to exercise caution when flying above or near Saudi Arabia.

U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham told British lawmakers on Monday that an attempted attack on an air force base in England was "almost certainly directed by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard."

Ed Miliband, the U.K.'s foreign minister, said he had summoned the Iranian ambassador to stress that "Britain will not tolerate threats on our soil."

British police arrested five men on Sept. 27 on suspicion of terrorism offenses over an alleged threat to RAF Fairford in the west of England, a Royal Air Force base that the U.S. Air Force has used to strike Iranian missile sites.

Trump later said the U.S. had moved all its long-range bombers out of the U.K. in response to "a threat."