US and Israel plan Iran strikes after midterms; Hormuz tensions rise

The United States and Israel are developing specific plans to resume attacks on Iran after the US midterm elections on November 3, according to the New York Times, citing US officials. President Donald Trump stated that negotiations are not occurring and that "something will happen very soon." The plans reportedly target Iranian energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and missile and drone arsenals. US and Israeli forces have intensified exercises, flying aircraft over Iraq to simulate attack maneuvers, while Washington is assembling a large arsenal in the Middle East expected to be fully operational by early November. Iranian Revolutionary Guards have threatened to expand the conflict to US bases in the region if Washington continues escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The Guards reported striking four vessels involved in ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Gulf, which caught fire, with three other ships reportedly hitting mines west of the strait.