Trump Weighs Renewed Iran Strikes Before Midterms as Pentagon Readies Options

Reports citing Axios and The Atlantic say the Pentagon has told CENTCOM to finish preparing options for a possible return to major combat, with potential targets including energy infrastructure, military facilities and nuclear sites. No date has been set and Trump has not made a final decision; officials cited the Oct 27 Israeli and Nov 3 US elections as possible windows. Mediated talks via Qatar and Pakistan remain stalled over the nuclear programme and the Strait of Hormuz. Details rest on a small number of leaks from US officials.