NYT Says Pentagon Drew Up Three-Day Iran Strike Plan, Nearing Final Preparations

The Pentagon has drawn up a military plan for three days of airstrikes on Iran. President Donald Trump, however, has said he will not attack Iran before next month's midterm elections.

The New York Times reported on October 8 that the U.S. military recently prepared a three-day strike option against Iran. Trump has repeatedly put the brakes on plans to resume large-scale combat in recent months. He also signaled publicly on Truth Social that he would refrain from military action before the election.

Even so, military preparations are continuing. Axios reported that the Pentagon on October 7 ordered U.S. Central Command to complete preparations for resuming large-scale combat in Iran. The new operational plan was drafted after a meeting of senior diplomatic and security officials at Camp David on October 2. Participants discussed the Iran war and the U.S. response to Yemen's Houthi rebels.

The core issues in the negotiations are Iran's nuclear program and sanctions relief. The U.S. wants an agreement that also covers the nuclear issue. Iran, by contrast, wants sanctions relief and the return of frozen funds in exchange for keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, with the nuclear issue to be discussed separately later. Trump rejected that proposal.

A prolonged war and rising energy costs have become key issues ahead of the midterm elections. High gasoline prices and the Iran war are weighing on Republican candidates and threatening the party's congressional majority. Trump has sought to reassure voters by saying oil prices will fall sharply after the election.