Trump May Order Major Iran Attack After Midterm Losses

US President Donald Trump may order a large-scale military attack on Iran after the November 3 midterm elections, with a higher likelihood if Republicans suffer major losses, according to US officials cited by Axios. The government has reportedly alerted Gulf allies, with an attack potentially beginning as soon as November 4. Qatari mediators held over 12 hours of talks in Tehran on Friday to avert war, continuing discussions in Doha on Saturday. Key obstacles include disagreements over preconditions: the US demands Iranian nuclear concessions, while Iran seeks lifted maritime blockades, unfrozen assets, and oil sales permission. Internal US policy divisions exist, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio favoring military action, while Vice President JD Vance and envoys prefer negotiations. Regional states urge diplomacy, but Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lobbies for a joint attack. Iran warns of retaliation against Gulf oil facilities if struck.