Reports of U.S. airlift and military preparations against Iran
At least 10 U.S. military transport aircraft landed at the Israeli Air Force’s Ovda and Nevatim airbases over the past 24 hours, according to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority.
It reported a major U.S. airlift to the Middle East following warnings to Gulf countries to prepare for a possible resumption of hostilities with Iran. U.S. military transport aircraft also landed at bases in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar in recent hours.
The broadcaster also reported that Washington sent Israel the message:
“We have a campaign ahead of us in Iran, there is no room for more elections”.
The Wall Street Journal reported that President Trump held an extraordinary meeting with senior military officials at the White House today. CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper briefed him on military options against Iran that could be carried out as soon as the U.S. midterm elections conclude.
Several Gulf Arab states have been warned to prepare for a “short, intense military campaign” against Iran following the elections, according to the report.
A source in the UAE told Israeli Channel 14:
“Everyone here is on high alert and preparing for November 4, the day after the U.S. midterm elections. Foreign ambassadors are increasingly sensing that an escalation is imminent and are already considering the possibility of evacuation”.
Diplomatic outreach seeks nuclear concessions to avert strikes
At President Trump’s direction, Vice President JD Vance sent a letter to Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei seeking to revive peace talks, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The outreach aims to prevent a possible new U.S. attack on Iran following next week’s midterm elections. Discussions have focused on a framework for negotiations rather than a concrete peace proposal, with Washington demanding nuclear concessions and Tehran seeking immediate economic relief.
Axios reported that Qatar-led mediators are pressing Iran to accept nuclear concessions to avert massive U.S.-Israeli strikes following the midterms.
The proposal would give UN inspectors access to Iran’s bombed nuclear facilities in exchange for limited sanctions relief and access to frozen funds. Iran is expected to seek Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s approval of the proposals in the coming days.
Without a deal, U.S. and Israeli officials expect a week-long bombing campaign targeting Iran’s leadership, energy facilities, nuclear sites and critical infrastructure, according to Axios.
Bessent urges Iranians to withhold taxes and stock up on fuel
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged Iranians to stop paying taxes and stock up on fuel for the winter, Iran International reported. He predicted that Iran’s economy would shrink by more than 25% by March 2027.
