The United States has warned several Gulf Arab countries to prepare for a “short, intense” military confrontation following the Nov. 3 midterm elections, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The warnings were issued through diplomatic and military channels as Washington and Israel are understood to be preparing new strikes to ratchet up pressure on Tehran and bring it to the negotiating table, the newspaper reported Tuesday, quoting those familiar with the talks.
US President Donald Trump has yet to take a decision but is said to be mulling strikes against Iranian infrastructure and nuclear sites. American forces are boosting missile defences and returning munitions stockpiles to higher levels while preparing aircraft, the report added.
But the White House declined to comment “on any sensitive military plans that may or may not exist”.
“President Trump has remained committed to ensuring Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, and he will keep every option on the table to do that,” the statement said.
Mediators in the region are still trying to bring Washington and Tehran back to the negotiating table, but so far there have been no breakthroughs. Iran has also warned that further attacks could result in reprisals against economic and civilian targets across the region.
No new attack has been announced by the US, and the actions reportedly being taken do not constitute the green light for a strike.
