Trump Eyes New Iran Blitz After Midterm Elections

The Trump administration has privately warned several Gulf Arab governments to prepare for another intensive American military campaign against Iran following the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

U.S. forces are reinforcing Israel’s missile defenses, restocking weapons and shifting troops away from exposed bases as preparations for another confrontation accelerate, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, citing people briefed on the discussions. President Donald Trump has not officially approved an operation but is leaning toward attacks on Iranian infrastructure and nuclear facilities, the outlet reported, citing people familiar with his thinking.

Trump publicly raised the prospect of renewed hostilities at a campaign rally in Florida on Friday.

“We may do another little Epic Fury, or they’ll agree,” Trump said, according to a rally transcript.

No attacks will happen before the midterm elections, the White House previously told the Daily Caller News Foundation. However, it never said strikes would not happen after the elections are finished.

The warnings were conveyed through diplomatic and military channels to several Gulf governments. American and Israeli planners are weighing an offensive intended to weaken Tehran and pressure its leaders to negotiate, according to the Journal.

“The forces pulling matters toward another round of war are much stronger than the forces pushing back,” Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, previously told the Daily Caller News Foundation.

The warnings follow an exclusive report revealing that American military operations against Iran could rapidly intensify, according to a senior military official who spoke to the DCNF.

“Things are about to get spicy,” the senior military official told the DCNF.