Donald Trump Weighs Military Strikes Against Iran Before Midterms

President Donald Trump is weighing renewed military strikes against Iran following the November 3 midterm elections, stating that Tehran will either make a deal or the U.S. will end the conflict. Trump claimed the U.S. has already decimated much of Iran's nuclear program but noted that one or two targets, including the Pickaxe Mountain complex, remain. While Trump suggested these sites could be neutralized in minutes, Iranian officials warned that any renewed conflict could be prolonged.

The war, which began on February 28 with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes, has created internal friction within the White House. Trump has privately questioned the performance of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, frustrated that the war lasted longer than initial optimistic assessments. Hegseth recently fired the Pentagon's top military planner, Army Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, amid allegations of providing misleading reports to the president.

Diplomatic efforts continue as Vice President JD Vance proposed renewed direct negotiations with Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei. However, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has ordered military commanders to update target lists for all American and Israeli assets, warning of an unrestricted response to any threat. Iran maintains that any deal is contingent upon the U.S. unfreezing assets, lifting sanctions, and ending the naval blockade of its ports. Meanwhile, Iran has designated the United Kingdom's military and intelligence services as hostile entities, accusing them of supporting U.S. operations.