The big picture: If major combat operations resume, they are expected to include massive bombardments on Iranian energy, infrastructure and nuclear targets, sources said.
- The resumption of war in the next three to four weeks could influence the midterm elections, in part because oil prices could rise as a result.
- “The Department’s job is to develop and present military options to the president,” a Pentagon official told Axios.
- A White House official said Trump had every option at all times.
- “The United States is in a very strong position with control of the Strait of Hormuz and the collapse of the Iranian economy. Iran has been decimated, and things are going to go one of two ways: the easy way or the hard way,” the official said. “President Trump holds all the cards and will do whatever is best for the United States.”
- The Atlantic reported earlier Wednesday that Trump was considering striking Iran before the midterm elections.
Driving the news: On Friday, Trump’s national security team met at Camp David for several hours to discuss the war and other issues.
- An Israeli official told Axios that part of the meeting focused on a possible resumption of major combat operations in Iran.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio said after the meeting that it focused on “long-term” foreign policy planning.
- Negotiations between the United States and Iran have made no progress. Qatari mediators are still awaiting an Iranian response to a US counterproposal that included demands for nuclear concessions.
- “Discussions about a possible resumption of major combat operations in Iran have intensified. The chances of this happening before the elections are not high, but we do not rule it out. After the midterms, the chances of this happening increase significantly,” a second Israeli official said.
Behind the scenes: President Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday. This was their second call in a few days, after barely speaking for several weeks.
- A US official said Trump and Netanyahu spoke of “remembrance and respect for the victims of the October 7 massacre.”
- The call came after Netanyahu held a meeting with his national security team about Iran, the top Israeli official said.
- Netanyahu spoke with Rubio on Monday.
- If major combat operations resume, they will most likely be done with the collaboration of the United States and Israel and with the participation of the Israeli military.
- Both Israeli officials said the Iranian regime was desperate and paranoid, which could lead it to strike first.
- They said the Iranians had suffered two surprise attacks and did not want to suffer a third.
Between the lines: The resumption of war could also affect Israeli elections, as Iran would likely fire hundreds of ballistic missiles at the country in retaliation.
- A further escalation – or even a heightened state of tension or emergency – could benefit Netanyahu politically and prevent his opponents from attacking him in the latter part of the campaign.
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