While the covert diplomacy efforts against Iran did not yield any results, it was claimed that the Ministry of Defense (Pentagon) instructed the US Central Command (CENTCOM) to complete its preparations in case of a large-scale military operation.
In the news of the "Axios" news platform, based on American officials, it was stated that the instruction did not contain any attack date and that US President Donald Trump had not yet made his final decision. It was stated that the preparations may include comprehensive attack options against Iran's nuclear facilities, energy infrastructure and other strategic points.
Date option
A Pentagon official told Axios that the Defense Department's job is to prepare and present military options to the president. A White House official stated that Trump is evaluating all options and argued that the USA is in a strong position due to its control over the Strait of Hormuz and the weakening of the Iranian economy.
According to "The Atlantic", the Trump administration is considering the option of carrying out possible attacks against Iran before the US Congressional midterm elections to be held on November 3. The news stated that Trump's national security team held an hour-long meeting at Camp David regarding Iran and military options were discussed. Axios also reported that Trump's senior national security officials discussed the developments in Iran and Yemen at Camp David.
It is reported that no progress has been made in diplomatic talks between the USA and Iran yet. It is stated that mediators in the region are waiting for Tehran's response to Washington's nuclear deal proposal.
Israel's role
Meanwhile, Axios claimed that US President Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu twice in recent days, and that military coordination between the two countries regarding Iran has increased. Israeli sources also argue that talks about the possibility of resuming large-scale military operations against Iran have intensified in Washington, that the possibility of launching an operation before the US midterm elections is considered low, but it is not completely excluded, and that this possibility may increase after the elections. While it is stated that a possible new operation may also affect the Israeli elections, attention is also drawn to the date of the operation before October 27, when the Israeli elections will be held. Tehran, on the other hand, announced that it would convey its response to the proposals made by the USA in the negotiations with the mediators. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ismail Bekayi said that Tehran's attitude towards ending the war and restoring regional security is "clear".
Trump: We will not attack before November 3
US President Trump made an important announcement regarding the course of the war with Iran on his social media account. Noting that they had productive negotiations with Tehran, Trump stated that Iran is in a "very bad situation" both economically and militarily and that millions of barrels of oil pass through the Strait of Hormuz daily. Trump said, "We will never attack Iran before the midterm elections to be held in the United States on November 3."
'Complete blockade' from Iran to Hormuz
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps announced that the illegal oil routes opened by exploding rocks in the Strait of Hormuz will be closed and full military control of the waterway will continue. Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi, Advisor to the Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, rejected the claims that the strait was opened to navigation and emphasized that the waterway remains closed and the Iranian armed forces maintain full control of the region. Announcing that there is a conflict in the region every 24 hours, the Tehran administration requires joint management with Oman and the lifting of the US blockade for the resumption of crossings.
