Iranians fear a possible return to all-out war as US and Israeli elections approach

Iranians are growing increasingly anxious about the prospect of a return to all-out war as the US and Israeli elections approach in the coming days, according to Tehran residents quoted by the Associated Press. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces a close vote, has called for Iran's leadership to be eliminated, while US President Donald Trump vows to "finish the job" in Iran, eight months after the war began.

Additionally, a US naval blockade of Iranian ports has restricted oil exports that the country relies on, increasing economic hardship. Iran has threatened new targets, including undersea data cables in the Strait of Hormuz, as it feels mounting economic pressure. Former government official and foreign policy professor at the University of Tehran, Sasan Karimi, said that Iran's leadership believes that Trump is likely to order new strikes regardless of the results of the midterm elections, and they are preparing for various scenarios.