'Wrapped up soon': Trump sends a third aircraft carrier to the Middle East as he weighs resuming Iran strikes

The US military build-up in the Middle East has reached its largest scale since the 2003 Iraq invasion, with US Central Command confirming three aircraft carrier strike groups are now in the region. Admiral Brad Cooper, America's top Middle East commander, made a rare in-person White House visit Thursday alongside Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine to brief Trump on options to resume strikes. Trump told a Kansas City radio station the conflict would be 'wrapped up soon' but gave no timeline or strategy. Officials have warned regional allies to prepare for renewed military action after the November 3 midterms, lasting potentially several days.

The administration has told several Middle Eastern countries that Iran may retaliate against their energy infrastructure if strikes resume.

An IISS report warns Gulf states that their trillion-dollar US weapons acquisitions failed to translate into protection, with Iranian drones and missiles causing up to $58bn in infrastructure damage.

Oil prices rose on news of the potential resumed strikes, while Trump's rescheduled campaign rallies and Vance's cancelled Minnesota press briefing have fuelled speculation about imminent action.