Netanyahu cites intelligence on an Iranian attack
Prime Minister Netanyahu said:
“We have intelligence information that Iran will attack us before the elections”.
Trump and Barrack address possible military action
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said:
“Could there be a strike this weekend? Absolutely. The president has been clear. I am giving you American policy. The president is very clear. He is open and available and accessible to a deal. And we have been at the table for months and months and months”.
A reporter subsequently told President Trump: “Your Ambassador to Turkey said that ‘absolutely’ there could be a strike on Iran this weekend”. Trump replied: “He is a powerful man, I guess. I don’t know anything about it”.
Trump also said:
“We may do another little ‘Operation Epic Fury’, or they will agree. If they are smart, they will just say, ‘Let’s get down to business’. But I doubt they will do that because perhaps they are not smart”.
U.S. officials describe strike preparations without a final decision
U.S. officials told The Atlantic:
“Trump is considering reviving his military campaign against Iran with strikes that could last for several days. U.S. strikes on Iran could take place immediately after the midterm elections, with potential targets including missile and drone facilities, energy infrastructure, and nuclear sites. However, no decision has been made to launch strikes against Iran after the election, despite indications that preparations for such an operation are underway”.
U.S. officials told CNN:
“Trump’s advisers have prepared plans for strikes on Iran in coordination with Israel, with the plans ready to be launched once the president gives approval. The use of the U.S. military’s ‘Mother of All Bombs’ against Iranian energy facilities and nuclear sites is among the options under consideration”.
U.S. officials told The Wall Street Journal:
“Trump is leaning towards resuming major operations against Iran, although no final decision has been made yet. The president was briefed on various military options, which include striking Iranian nuclear facilities as well as islands controlled by Tehran. Our warships in the Middle East are preparing for potential strikes against Iran in the coming weeks. Washington evacuated personnel from military bases in the Middle East in anticipation of an Iranian attack”.
Iraq reportedly warned of possible strikes
Kurdish Channel 8 reported that the U.S. informed Iraq of a possible strike on Iran in the coming days.
Iraqi Prime Minister al-Zaidi warned Iran-backed armed groups that any intervention would carry legal consequences, according to the channel.
Reported Israeli flight strategy combines training and intelligence gathering
Israel Hayom reported that the Israeli Air Force has developed a strategy in which armed fighter jets fly from Israel through Syrian and Iraqi airspace toward the Iranian border before turning back, in preparation for a potential future strike.
According to the report, the tactic was used three months before the surprise attack in June 2025 that launched ‘Operation Rising Lion’, also known as the 12-Day War.
It is intended to train aircrews, gather intelligence and familiarize Iran with Israeli air activity in the region, potentially helping preserve an element of surprise in a future strike.
