US prepares strike plan against Iran for day after midterm elections

The United States military has developed a plan for a new operation against Iran that could begin the day after the US midterm elections, according to The New York Times, citing American officials. The Pentagon has positioned three aircraft carriers and other assets in the region for a potential short but intense air campaign if President Donald Trump authorizes it. No final decision has been made, as Trump's administration is divided. Some officials advocate for continued economic pressure through sanctions and blockade, while others argue Iran has withstood such measures and requires military strikes. US diplomats are simultaneously negotiating with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz and its nuclear program. Israeli intelligence claims Iran may be considering chemical weapons use, though US officials are split on the threat's credibility, with some comparing it to faulty pre-Iraq-war assessments. A new escalation could impact Russia's war in Ukraine by raising oil prices and competing for US military resources like air defense systems needed by Kyiv.