US warns Gulf states to brace for Iran strike after midterms: WSJ
Synopsis
The Wall Street Journal reports that the US has quietly warned Gulf nations to prepare for a post-midterm military strike on Iran, with Trump leaning toward hitting nuclear and infrastructure sites. With Operation Midnight Hammer and Epic Fury already on the books, Washington is signalling that the spring bombing campaign may not be the last word on Iran.
Key Takeaways
The US has told Gulf countries to prepare for a brief but intense military campaign against Iran after the US midterm elections , per The Wall Street Journal .
US forces in the Middle East are replenishing ammunition stocks; bombers and fighter jets are on standby.
Israel has identified targets for a possible new attack on Iran.
President Trump is reportedly leaning toward strikes on Iranian infrastructure and nuclear sites but has not made a final decision.
Trump referenced past operations — Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury — claiming they destroyed Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity.
Trump has ruled out a strike before the midterms but has kept the military option open if Iran fails to reach a deal with Washington.
The United States has privately told several Gulf countries to prepare for a brief but intense military campaign against Iran following the US midterm elections, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal on 28 October 2026, citing people briefed on the conversations. The disclosure marks a significant escalation in Washington's posture toward Tehran.
Military Preparations Underway
US forces in the Middle East are reportedly replenishing ammunition stocks, with bombers and fighter jets being readied for potential strikes. Israel has also drawn up plans and identified targets for a possible new attack, according to the Journal's report. Both Washington and Jerusalem are said to be preparing for another round of intense military operations against Iran.
Trump's Position: Strike or Deal
US President Donald Trump has not made a final decision but is reportedly leaning toward a major attack targeting Iranian infrastructure and nuclear sites. He has indicated the United States would not strike Iran before the midterms. Speaking at a Republican campaign rally in Fort Myers, Florida, Trump left the door open for diplomacy while signalling that military action remains firmly on the table.
'We may do another little Epic Fury, or they'll agree. If they're smart, they'll just say, let's get down to business,' Trump told supporters.
Past Operations Referenced
Trump cited two prior US military operations against Iran — Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury — claiming they had destroyed the country's nuclear enrichment capabilities and severely weakened its military and economy. 'We obliterated Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity with Operation Midnight Hammer,' he said. He added that subsequent operations had reinforced the initial strikes, asserting: 'We defeated them militarily, financially and otherwise and now we are ensuring it's done.'
Diplomatic Track Still Open
Trump's remarks suggested that Washington remains open to a negotiated agreement, provided Tehran accepts terms that would prevent it from developing nuclear weapons. However, he did not outline the specific conditions Iran would need to meet to avoid further military action. Critics argue that the dual-track approach — simultaneous threats of force and offers of diplomacy — risks miscalculation, particularly given the region's fragile stability.
Regional and Global Stakes
The reported warning to Gulf nations underscores how far the US-Iran confrontation has escalated since the spring bombing campaign. This comes amid broader Middle East tensions, with Gulf states caught between their security dependence on Washington and economic ties to a destabilised neighbourhood. Any new military campaign would carry significant implications for global oil supplies, shipping lanes, and regional alliances, analysts note.
Point of View
If accurate, represents a deliberate signal — not a leak. Notifying Gulf states implies the US wants regional buy-in and possibly basing or overflight rights, which changes the geopolitical calculus considerably. Trump's dual-track rhetoric of 'deal or Epic Fury' mirrors his North Korea playbook, but Iran's nuclear programme and regional proxy network make this a far more combustible theatre. The critical question mainstream coverage underplays is whether Gulf states, many of whom have quietly expanded ties with Tehran, will comply with Washington's preparations or quietly resist. A third US military campaign against Iran, coming on the heels of two, would test both the coherence of Washington's stated goals and the limits of Gulf deference to American strategy.
NationPress
28 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the US reportedly tell Gulf countries about Iran?
The US has reportedly warned several Gulf countries to prepare for a brief but intense military campaign against Iran following the US midterm elections, according to The Wall Street Journal. The report cited people briefed on the conversations.
Has President Trump decided to strike Iran?
No final decision has been made, according to the report. Trump is described as leaning toward a major attack targeting Iranian infrastructure and nuclear sites, but he has also signalled openness to a diplomatic deal if Iran agrees to conditions preventing nuclear weapons development.
What are Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury?
These are two US military operations against Iran that Trump has publicly referenced, claiming they destroyed Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity and severely weakened its military and economy. Trump cited them as precedents for potential future action.
Why has Trump said he won't strike Iran before the midterms?
Trump has explicitly stated he will not attack Iran before the midterm elections, a position that frames any military action as a post-election decision. This timing has drawn scrutiny over whether domestic political considerations are shaping foreign policy.
What are the broader implications of a new US strike on Iran?
A new military campaign would carry significant consequences for global oil supplies, Middle East shipping lanes, and regional alliances. Gulf states, which depend on US security guarantees but also maintain economic links with Iran, would face acute pressure to choose sides.
