Trump warns Gulf allies to brace for a 'short, intense' blitz on Iran once the midterm elections are over
US bombers take off from RAF Fairford in July. Trump has warned Gulf allies to brace for a large-scale assault on Iranian nuclear sites and infrastructure shortly after the November 3 midterm elections.
Trump has privately warned Gulf Arab governments to prepare for a new military campaign against Iran, expected to begin shortly after the November 3 midterm elections. US forces are already loading munitions and bringing bombers and fighter jets to combat readiness. An additional Patriot missile defence battery is being airlifted from Texas to Israel, and a further carrier strike group and Marine expeditionary unit are on standby to reinforce the roughly 20 US warships already in the region. Trump has yet to issue the final order but is said to favour a large-scale post-election assault on Iranian nuclear sites and infrastructure.
Gulf mediators are working urgently to head off the strikes — Qatar has delivered a fresh peace proposal to Iran, while Gulf states are pressing a multipart plan under which the Strait of Hormuz would reopen within four days of sanctions being lifted.
Iran has vowed to respond to any new attack with strikes on economic and civilian targets throughout the region, and its foreign ministry accused Trump of exposing 'the hollowness of their diplomatic commitments.'
'We may do another little Epic Fury,' Trump told a rally last week, adding: 'Or they'll agree.'
