The Pentagon has been instructed to prepare for possible fresh strikes, though US President Donald Trump has not made a final decision on resuming major combat operations against Iran.

According to a directive, the Pentagon had instructed US Central Command (US CENTCOM) many days ago to wrap up preparations for resuming combat operations in Iran. A specific date for launching strikes has not been set.

The renewed combat operations are expected to take place before the US midterm elections, scheduled to be held on November 3. If major combat operations resume, it could include extensive strikes on Iranian energy, infrastructure, and nuclear targets.

A White House official said that President Trump has all options available at any time.

“The Department’s job is to develop and present military options to the President,” a Pentagon official said, adding, “The US is in a very strong position with control of the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian economy collapsing. Iran has been decimated, and things will go one of two ways: the easy way or the hard way.”

Trump declared earlier that the US had taken away Iran’s nuclear power. He said, “In other words, the Hormuz Strait belongs to the United States Navy and the United States of America. That’s where it belongs, and that’s where it is right now.”

He asserted that the US would remain the world’s leading naval power. “With the help of everyone here today, America is going to remain the undisputed naval superpower of the world,” he said.

The US and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28 this year, prompting Tehran to respond with missile and drone attacks across the region. This led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

From then, all through these months, negotiations between the US and Iran have made no progress.

With the possible resumption of major combat operations in Iran increasing, Iran would likely fire hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation, affecting Israeli elections as well.

This development becomes inevitable as Washington’s diplomatic efforts with Tehran remain deadlocked. – editor@nrifocus.com