US Israel Iran Strike Plans Drawn Up After Midterms

The US and Israeli militaries have drawn up plans for renewed strikes on Iran, Al Jazeera reports citing The New York Times. The United States is ready to resume major combat operations when ordered by President Donald Trump, the report says, citing Pentagon and military officials.

“He has already hinted that he is in no rush to resume bombing, despite a major naval and air power buildup that has been underway for weeks as he has mulled whether to launch an intense, short attack on Iran’s surviving nuclear-related sites, along with energy and infrastructure targets,” the newspaper adds.

US Israel Iran strike plans: what the report says

The report describes a short, intensive campaign of about three days, targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, including a deeply buried suspected nuclear site, its energy infrastructure, and its missile and drone arsenal.

Preparations have intensified in recent weeks. American and Israeli aircraft have flown over Iraq to rehearse strike manoeuvres, and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth discussed renewed attacks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an unannounced visit to Israel this week, according to the report.

The force being assembled, three aircraft carriers, thousands of Marines, fighter jets and special operations units, should be fully in place by early November, when longer nights favour an attacking force.

US officials told Axios on November 4 that the military is finishing preparations for a possible return to major combat, including sending more assets to the region.

Trump has not decided

None of it has been approved. The Times reported that Trump has vetoed several proposals for a return to major combat this year, most recently earlier this month.

The Financial Times reported Israel was ready to attack on the weekend of October 10 before Trump stopped it because of the elections. The Jerusalem Post, citing IDF sources, disputed that a strike had been planned at all.

Asked on Wednesday night whether Washington is still negotiating with Tehran, he said it is not, and that “something will happen, one way or the other. It’ll happen fairly soon.”

Vice President JD Vance has sent a letter to Iran’s security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, at Trump’s direction to revive talks, though Trump played it down as an effort only to allow medical supplies into Iran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday that Trump “hasn’t made a decision” on fresh strikes.

Iran warns of a swift response

Tehran has answered with threats of its own. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned on Saturday that any new attack would draw an immediate response without geographical limits, and ordered commanders to update the target list.

The war began on February 28, when the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran. Tehran retaliated with missile and drone attacks, and fighting has since spread to Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

Meanwhile, Iranian negotiators have been in Doha for indirect talks with Qatari mediators. Iran has proposed a seven-day plan since September, calling for Washington to lift its port blockade, unfreeze assets and approve an Iranian-backed Hormuz route before reopening the waterway.

What it means for Pakistan

The strike plans land as a diplomatic track runs in parallel, with Pakistan part of it. Dawn’s live coverage notes a process facilitated by Qatar and Pakistan is attempting to avert a devastating return to hostilities.

Feature Pakistan has covered both sides of this story. Talks between the US and Iran have made progress, while the military picture has kept moving: the Pentagon has surged drones across the Middle East, the US struck Iran’s Qeshm Island, and a tanker fire in the Strait of Hormuz showed how exposed shipping has become.

Oil prices have fallen for a fourth straight day as war risk eased, and a renewed campaign would push them up again, raising Pakistan’s fuel import bill. A closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which much of Pakistan’s oil passes, would hit harder still.

Dawn reported the strike plans on Thursday evening.

Frequently asked questions

Have the US and Israel decided to strike Iran?

No. The New York Times reports plans are drawn up and forces are ready, but President Trump has not approved action and has vetoed several proposals this year.

What would the targets be?

The reported list covers Iran’s nuclear facilities, including a deeply buried suspected nuclear site, energy infrastructure, and missile and drone arsenals.

What is the diplomatic track?

Qatari mediators, with Pakistan’s facilitation, seek a deal that could lead to direct talks. Iran has proposed a seven-day plan tied to lifting the blockade, unfreezing assets and reopening Hormuz.

How would renewed strikes affect oil prices?

Oil prices fell for four straight days as war risk eased. A new campaign would likely push them up again, raising Pakistan’s fuel import bill.