Trump Is Considering a Plan to Strike Iran Before the Midterms
Pentagon planners are weighing options though no final decision has been made.
President Trump is contemplating a plan to launch strikes against Iran before the midterms, according to multiple administration officials. The development comes as the final phase of the election campaign is underway, and there is a belief that a pre-election military action could help President Trump demonstrate strength and potentially secure a victory, which would benefit Republican candidates nationwide.
The White House has asked the Pentagon to develop potential strike options against Iranian targets, which could be carried out prior to the midterms. However, the specifics of the strikes, including the size, targets, and whether the administration will ultimately proceed, are still being debated.
The U.S. Central Command (Centcom) is coordinating the war effort and is responsible for preparing the plans. Even those advocating for limited strikes acknowledge that they would not on their own bring Iran to the negotiating table, restore safe travel through the Strait of Hormuz, or lower gas prices before the election.
Nonetheless, supporters believe that a limited military action would allow Trump to appear victorious and potentially declare a win, providing Republicans with much-needed momentum heading into the election.
The president has repeatedly discussed the possibility of resuming strikes after the election, with a statement to the United Nations last month threatening to "annihilate the Islamic Republic" if Iran did not reach a deal. He reiterated this sentiment in a recent interview with Time magazine, stating that post-election strikes were possible.
Republicans, who see the conflict and rising gas prices as severe setbacks for their prospects in retaining control of the House and Senate, have privately expressed their frustration with the war. Ken Paxton, a Republican Senate candidate from Texas, complained that the war has hurt his campaign, stating that rising gas and diesel prices caused by the conflict were the biggest problem.
Despite the ongoing war's unpopularity, the White House emphasizes that Trump has all options available at any time, with the potential for strikes either before or after the midterms. The current situation is deeply unpopular, and Republicans would not welcome the conflict's return to the headlines, particularly if more American lives are lost.
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