The United States and Israel have developed detailed plans for a series of renewed strikes against Iran, with preparations aimed at executing operations after the U.S. midterm elections scheduled for early November. According to U.S. officials and individuals familiar with the discussions, the military buildup involves intensified exercises, including U.S. and Israeli aircraft conducting practice strike maneuvers over Iraq, and high-level meetings such as the one between U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel earlier this month.

The proposed targets of the planned strikes would likely include Iran’s energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and its missile and drone arsenals. Some officials involved in the planning believe that a concentrated military campaign lasting a few days could inflict sufficient economic damage to pressure Tehran into making diplomatic concessions, particularly regarding its nuclear program and control over strategic waterways like the Strait of Hormuz. However, skepticism remains about the effectiveness of further military action, as previous rounds of U.S.-Israeli airstrikes earlier this year—from February through April—resulted in increased regional instability, surging global energy prices, and significant strains on U.S. military resources without compelling Iran to change its stance.

Iranian authorities have publicly warned they would respond to future strikes by expanding their targets beyond commercial shipping and energy infrastructure to include digital infrastructure such as data centers and underwater internet cables. Iranian political analysts have also suggested retaliatory strikes against key Saudi Arabian oil facilities could intensify global energy market disruptions.

The timing of any renewed military campaign hinges heavily on political developments both in the United States and in Israel. President Donald Trump has, on multiple occasions in 2026, opposed resuming large-scale combat operations against Iran, including last-minute decisions to call off planned strikes. Military officials express frustration over the uncertainty, describing the situation as “day-to-day whiplash” as they remain on heightened alert awaiting authorization.

In Israel, the national election held on October 27 presents an additional complication. Should Netanyahu lose his bid and become a caretaker prime minister, launching a new conflict would be politically challenging. Conversely, some analysts speculate that Netanyahu might use the threat of joint military action with the U.S. as leverage to form a unity government that could maintain broader support for managing a potential war effort. Netanyahu’s recent formation of a war cabinet after the Hamas attack in October 2023 reflects his approach to consolidating national security decisions amid ongoing regional tensions.

Diplomatic efforts continue alongside military preparations, with U.S. negotiators using the possibility of renewed warfare as leverage in talks with Iranian representatives. Nonetheless, Iran’s delegation has remained firm on delaying substantive discussions regarding its nuclear program. Iranian officials and advisers publicly dismiss expectations of a brief military campaign, with some emphasizing that future engagements would be more protracted and “fierce,” underscoring Tehran’s confidence in its defensive plans.

Questions also surround the choice of munitions in a possible strike. The deployment of heavy ordnance, such as the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), has been discussed by U.S. leadership but faces technical and tactical challenges, especially against deeply buried Iranian nuclear sites like Pickaxe Mountain (Kooh Kolang).

While the United States continues to assemble a full military force presence in the region—including aircraft carriers, fighters, Marines, and Special Operations units—officials caution that launching a conflict carries risks of escalation and broader regional instability. The U.S. State Department recently ordered nonessential personnel to leave Saudi Arabia amid ongoing attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi militias, highlighting the volatile environment surrounding these plans.

Overall, the prospect of renewed U.S.-Israeli military action against Iran remains contingent on political decisions, the outcome of upcoming elections, and the ongoing diplomatic dynamics between Washington and Tehran.