US and Israel create plans for 'short but intensive' strikes on Iran after midterms - report

The United States and Israel are preparing for a possible new attack on Iran after the American midterm elections, even as questions persist over whether another military campaign would secure concessions from Tehran, The New York Times reported.

The proposed campaign would concentrate strikes into roughly three days, concentrating operation on nuclear facilities, missile and drone capabilities, and parts of Iran’s energy infrastructure.

US officials and others familiar with the discussions said the United States is also assembling additional forces. Its planned deployment, including three aircraft carriers, Marines, combat aircraft and Special Operations personnel, is expected to be fully positioned by early November.

President Donald Trump has not approved an attack. The Times reported that he has repeatedly held back proposed operations, including one earlier this month that both militaries had prepared to launch.

At the center of the deliberations is a disputed calculation: whether a short burst of military force could achieve diplomatic results that months of fighting and economic pressure have failed to deliver.

Iranian officials have warned that retaliation could extend to data centers, undersea internet cables and regional oil facilities. Mahdi Mohammadi, an adviser to Iran’s negotiating team, called expectations of a 72-hour campaign a “fantasy.”

“Our attacks will be more fierce, creative and different,” Mohammadi wrote on social media.