The United States military has drawn up options for renewed strikes on Iran that could be carried out after the November 3 midterm elections, and has briefed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the plans, according to a new report — leaving the final decision with President Donald Trump.
The Hill reported on Saturday, October 24, 2026, citing sources familiar with the planning, that US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American military operations in the Middle East, has prepared several options for follow-up strikes that could be implemented if the White House authorizes them. A Pentagon official told the outlet that the department's "job is to develop and present military options to the president," adding: "We don't speculate on hypothetical situations or future operations." CENTCOM did not issue a separate statement.
Trump keeps every option open
According to the report, Trump intends to keep all options open until he must make a final decision. Speaking to reporters on October 21, he said the US was not negotiating with Iran and that "something will happen one way or the other before long," adding that most people expected it to come after the election. At a rally in Florida on October 23, he suggested the US could carry out another operation — or that Iran could agree to a deal.
The report comes days after Hegseth traveled to Israel, where he visited American troops in the Middle East and met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, in a meeting that had not been announced in advance.
Tehran's response — and the oil price
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said Tehran remains open to renewed talks, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused Washington of derailing negotiations but said efforts to reach an agreement should continue.
The stakes extend well beyond the region. Brent crude, the global benchmark, closed at $116.72 a barrel on Friday, while West Texas Intermediate closed at $103.38. In the US, regular gasoline averaged $4.2957 a gallon — up about 40% from a year ago — and diesel averaged $6.3374. Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies, after US and Israeli strikes began on February 28, and a June memorandum of understanding mediated by Pakistan and Qatar has stalled.
Analysts split on what comes next
Gregory Brew, an Iran specialist at the risk consultancy Eurasia Group, told The Hill that the likelihood of the US resuming military strikes appears considerably higher once the midterm elections are over. Other analysts questioned whether additional strikes could extract concessions from Iran's leadership, noting that earlier operations depleted US stockpiles of missile interceptors and some advanced offensive weapons, sent gasoline prices sharply higher, and badly destabilized the Middle East.
October has become the worst month for attacks on ships near the Strait of Hormuz since the US-Israel war began in February, according to Al Jazeera's reporting on the conflict.
The takeaway: The military machinery for a new round of strikes is reportedly ready. Whether it is used now depends on one person — and Trump has made a point of not ruling anything out.
Sources: Al Jazeera, Israel National News, TradingView
Watch: Watch: Latest video coverage of the reported CENTCOM Iran strike plans
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