WSJ: US Warns Gulf Countries to Prepare For Iran War After Elections

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - The United States has warned several Gulf Arab countries to be prepared for a short and intense military campaign against Iran after the November 3 midterm elections, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, citing people briefed on the conversations, as the US and Israel are readying for a potential new round of heavy combat operations against Tehran while diplomatic efforts by regional mediators have yet to bear fruit.

The communications through diplomatic and military channels are among a growing number of indications that the US and Israel are preparing to launch a new round of strikes. President Trump has not decided to proceed but is leaning toward a large post-election attack that could target Iranian infrastructure and nuclear sites, people familiar with his thinking told the Journal.

"We may do another little Epic Fury," Trump said at a rally last week, referring to the heavy US and Israeli bombing campaign of the spring. "Or they'll agree." The White House said it would not comment on sensitive military plans that may or may not exist, adding: "President Trump keeps all options on the table to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon."

The US military is sending an additional Patriot missile defense system to Israel from Texas to beef up its missile defenses, according to flight tracking data and two officials with knowledge of the movement. US forces in the region have been restocking munitions and bomber aircraft and jet fighters are preparing for strikes. An additional aircraft carrier strike group and Marine expeditionary unit are poised to join an armada of roughly 20 warships operating in the Middle East next month. US forces have also moved troops off vulnerable bases in the region in preparation for escalation.

Israel has prepared plans and targets for a new attack. PM Netanyahu has continued to push for a resumption of strikes in hopes of degrading Iran's strength and toppling ultimately .

Despite the damage inflicted by the US and Israel, Iran retains a stockpile of hundreds to thousands of missiles and has used the lull in fighting to shore up its defenses and prepare new retaliation plans. Iran is assembling new ballistic missiles from stockpiled parts and Israeli officials are concerned by the speed of Iran's rebuilding. Iran has warned through public and private channels that it would respond to any attack with harsh strikes on economic and civilian targets across the region.

Any Iranian retaliation would come as the US and its Gulf allies are scrambling to restock supplies of missile defenses strained by waves of Iranian attacks so far in the conflict.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that his agency has not identified any activity to repair or reconstruct facilities damaged by attacks in either of the two wars. However he said inspectors have not had access to the facilities to verify, and the IAEA has not been able to confirm that Iran has not diverted nuclear material. One of the remaining sites of concern is Pickaxe Mountain, which sits under hundreds of feet of rock.

Analysts are divided on whether another round of strikes would achieve the desired outcome. "I don't think anything is going to permanently set back their program," said Seth Jones of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, but he noted strikes would allow Trump to declare he had again set back Iran's nuclear program before reducing American involvement. Former Israeli military intelligence official Danny Citrinowicz said he believes one of the biggest mistakes the US and Israel continue to make is assuming another round of strikes could somehow bring down the Iranian regime, noting Iran weathered more than 20,000 strikes during the most active phase of the war and still maintained its military posture and negotiating demands.