# US and Israel Plan Intensified Military Actions in Iran Post-Midterms

> The United States and Israel are reportedly preparing for significant military operations against Iran after the November 2026 U.S. midterm elections, amidst an ongoing conflict that has already seen a naval blockade prevent $25 billion in Iranian oil exports.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-25T12:46:30.994875Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/us-and-israel-plan-intensified-military-actions-in-iran-post-midterms-085a267c

The United States and Israel are reportedly developing plans for significant military operations against Iran following the U.S. midterm elections in November 2026, amidst an ongoing conflict that has already seen a naval blockade prevent $25 billion in Iranian oil exports [7][12][13]. This potential escalation follows statements from President Donald Trump hinting at new military action and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu campaigning on a platform of Iranian regime change [3][11][13].

This prospect of intensified military engagement could reshape regional dynamics and further strain the global energy market, directly impacting American and international consumers. For Iran, an escalation threatens deeper economic pressure and potential targeting of critical infrastructure, while for the U.S. and Israel, it represents a calculated gamble with significant geopolitical stakes [12][13].

## What the records show
Reports indicate the U.S. and Israel are devising "specific plans" for a "short but intensive operation" in Iran, targeting facilities like nuclear sites, energy infrastructure, and missile arsenals [13]. This planning is set to proceed after the U.S. midterm elections, with some reports citing U.S. officials and others briefed on deliberations [12][13][14]. The current conflict with Iran has lasted approximately eight to nine months, contributing to high energy prices that are impacting the Republican Party's prospects in the midterms [2][13].

President Donald Trump has suggested for several weeks that the United States will win the war "right after the election" or "maybe before the election" [1]. On October 23, 2026, Trump stated the U.S. "may do another little Epic Fury," referring to a military operation against Iran [3]. Trump also hinted at potential intervention in Cuba after the Iran conflict, saying, "we're going to send Marco Rubio in to finish up the deal" [5]. Marco Rubio currently serves as Secretary of State and National Security Advisor [6][9].

On October 22, 2026, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that a 100-day naval blockade on Iran had prevented the export of at least $25 billion worth of crude oil [7]. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is campaigning for the October 27 election with a platform explicitly calling for regime change in Iran [11][13][16]. Speaking on October 20, Netanyahu connected this objective to Israel's campaign against Hezbollah, stating, "Finishing the job means bringing down the terrorist regime in Iran" [16]. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an unannounced visit to Israel last week, meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu days before the Israeli election [4][15].

The U.S. State Department is reducing staff at its embassies in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates as of October 24, 2026 [6][8][9]. This decision followed an intelligence memorandum sent on October 23 by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio [6][9]. The memo indicated a "substantial increase" in Iranian efforts to target U.S. personnel overseas, with "lethal plots against US citizens" reaching advanced stages in the Middle East and other countries [9].

## Timeline
The initial U.S. and Israeli bombing campaign that began the war against Iran occurred on February 28, 2026 [10][13].
In early October 2026, President Trump stated the U.S. would win the war "right after the election" [1].
On October 20, 2026, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explicitly campaigned on bringing down the "terrorist regime in Iran" [16].
By October 22, 2026, a naval blockade on Iran had been in place for 100 days, preventing $25 billion in oil exports [7].
On October 23, 2026, Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton sent a memorandum to Secretary of State Marco Rubio detailing increased Iranian threats to U.S. personnel [9]. The same day, President Trump publicly remarked about conducting "another little Epic Fury" against Iran [3].
On October 24, 2026, the U.S. State Department began reducing staff at four Middle East embassies due to these Iranian threats [6][8][9]. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's unannounced visit to Israel also occurred last week, prior to the October 27 Israeli election [4][15].
Israel's parliamentary elections are scheduled for October 27, 2026 [11][13]. The U.S. midterm elections are in November 2026 [12][13].

## What changed and for whom
The conflict, ongoing for eight to nine months, has shifted from general engagement to a period of explicit planning for escalated operations post-elections [2][12][13]. This marks a political calculation by President Trump, who is facing midterm challenges partly due to the war's impact on energy prices [2][13]. For Iran, the naval blockade has created a significant economic strain, denying it $25 billion in oil revenue in just 100 days [7]. The U.S. has also adjusted its diplomatic footprint in the Middle East by reducing embassy staff, reflecting heightened security concerns over specific, advanced Iranian threats against American personnel [6][9]. Prime Minister Netanyahu's public campaign for Iranian regime change represents an overt political goal for Israel, directly linking the conflict to his re-election bid [11][13][16].

## What the subject has said publicly
President Donald Trump has repeatedly addressed the conflict with Iran, stating in early October that the United States would win the war "right after the election" or "maybe before the election" [1]. On October 23, 2026, he remarked about potentially conducting "another little Epic Fury," referring to a military operation against Iran [3]. Trump also suggested military intervention in Cuba after the Iran conflict, saying, "we're going to send Marco Rubio in to finish up the deal" [5].

## What we could not confirm
The specific tactical details of the planned "short but intensive operation" against Iran remain unconfirmed beyond general target categories like nuclear facilities, energy infrastructure, and missile arsenals [13]. It is also unconfirmed if the term "Epic Fury" refers to a specific prior military action or is a descriptive phrase for a new one [3]. The exact timeline or specific conditions under which President Trump might authorize such operations after the midterm elections have not been publicly detailed [1][12].

## Evidence cited
1. Will Trump Escalate in Iran After the Midterms? (cfr.org) — https://cfr.org/
2. Trump's Iran war is hurting Republicans in the midterms. Why he’s doing it anyway. (inquirer.com) — https://inquirer.com/
3. Trump eyes escalation in Iran after the midterms – and his own voters are bracing for impact (kvia.com) — https://kvia.com/
4. Trump prepares for Iran escalation after U.S. and Israeli elections (The Japan Times) — https://japantimes.co.jp/
5. U.S. is reducing staffing at 4 Middle East embassies over increased threats from Iran (PBS) — https://pbs.org/
6. US reduces staff at four embassies over Iran threats (UA.NEWS) — https://ua.news/
7. 100 Days of Naval Blockade on Iran: US Denies Tehran $25 Billion in Oil Revenue (Ground News) — https://ground.news/
8. Post (Bluesky) — https://bsky.app/
9. US Reduces Embassy Staffing in Middle East Over Iran Threats (The Arabian Post) — https://thearabianpost.com/
10. How might Iran respond to new strikes? (Time) — https://time.com/
11. Report: Social media accounts used in campaign to promote Iran regime change are now amplifying pro-Netanyahu election messaging (timesofisrael.com) — https://timesofisrael.com/
12. Reports: US and Israel Set to Restart Major Operations in Iran After Midterms (Truthout) — https://truthout.org/
13. Is Iran ready for another major US attack after midterm elections? (INQUIRER.NET) — https://inquirer.net/
14. Headlines for October 22, 2026 (Democracy Now!) — https://democracynow.org/
15. CENTCOM reportedly has plans for Iran strikes after midterms (Israel National News) — https://israelnationalnews.com/
16. Netanyahu makes Iran regime change explicit election goal (Iran International) — https://iranintl.com/
17. US and Israel plan intense military operation against Iran after midterms – NYT (NV.ua) — https://nv.ua/
18. Marco Rubio’s moment has arrived, as US eyes regime change in Cuba (The Guardian) — https://theguardian.com/
19. U.S. Central Command Says Naval Blockade Prevented Iran Oil Exports Worth At Least $25 Billion: how 10 outlets framed it. (NewsCord) — https://newscord.org/
20. Trump eyes Cuba ‘stopover’ for warships after Iran war as Rubio seeks CIA partnership to topple Havana government (inkl.com) — https://inkl.com/
21. Iranians face anxious Wait as threat of attack looms (omanobserver.om) — https://omanobserver.om/
22. Iranians Face Anxious Wait as Threat of Attack Looms (thetruestory.news) — https://thetruestory.news/
23. CENTCOM reportedly has plans for Iran strikes: Will Trump approve them? (Al Jazeera) — https://aljazeera.com/
24. Iranian analysts report: US media report on preparations for new attacks on Iran after midterm elections (YouTube) — https://youtube.com/
25. Will Trump Escalate in Iran After the Midterms? (theprint.in) — https://theprint.in/
26. Araghchi: Iran will give diplomacy another chance if US shows genuine will to end conflict (ahram.org.eg) — https://ahram.org.eg/
27. Iran Issues Seven-Day Ultimatum for US to End Blockade of Hormuz (palestinechronicle.com) — https://palestinechronicle.com/
28. Iran warns of attacking Gulf undersea cables if war resumes (The Nation) — https://nationthailand.com/
29. Iran threatens to blow up Persian Gulf internet cables if US resumes attacks — Reuters (RBC-Ukraine) — https://rbc.ua/
30. Iran Has Prepared Plan to Destroy Submarine Cables in Persian Gulf in Event of New U.S. Strikes (Militarnyi) — https://militarnyi.com/
31. Iran threatens to target Gulf undersea cables if US, Israel strike again (The Daily Star) — https://thedailystar.net/
32. “US-Iran war could continue for another year,” says UN Ambassador Waltz (SBS News) — https://sbs.co.kr/
33. US Ambassador Waltz: Iran War Could Last Another Year (northeasttimes.com) — https://northeasttimes.com/
34. The Iran War Could Last Another Year, Top Trump Envoy Says (The American Conservative) — https://theamericanconservative.com/
35. IRGC warns US bases over Hormuz escorts, claims strikes on 7 ships (Saudi Gazette) — https://saudigazette.com.sa/
36. IRGC warns US bases over Hormuz escorts, claims strikes on 7 ships (Türkiye Today) — https://turkiyetoday.com/
37. Iran warns US military bases in Middle East could be targeted if Strait of Hormuz escorting continues (Fox News) — https://foxnews.com/
38. Rubio encourages Cubans to collaborate with the CIA after Trump suggests military intervention (voz.us) — https://voz.us/
39. Netanyahu threatens regime change in Iran (Middle East Eye) — https://middleeasteye.net/
40. Trump says Iran war to end 'very soon'; UN ambassador Waltz says 'could last another year' (stopcop.city) — https://stopcop.city/
41. Trump eyes escalation in Iran after the midterms – and his own voters are bracing for impact (Demokratis) — https://demokratis.co.id/
42. Trump tells Iowa voters that if Iran war ended, gas prices would plummet (Washington Post) — https://washingtonpost.com/
43. Trump keeps hinting he'll resume the Iran war after the midterms. These Iowa GOP voters sound wary. (CNN) — https://cnn.com/
44. CNN: Trump to Iowans: War with Iran to End 'Very Soon' (blogspot.com) — https://blogspot.com/
45. Trump Expects Peace Deal With Iran After US November Elections (RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty) — https://rferl.org/
46. Trump: To annihilate or not to annihilate? That is the question for Iran (Catholic Review) — https://catholicreview.org/
47. Trump warns he could 'annihilate' Islamic Republic (Head Topics) — https://headtopics.com/
48. Trump UNGA Speech: 'I Have a Big Decision to Make' on Iran (United Against Nuclear Iran) — https://unitedagainstnucleariran.com/
49. Netanyahu: 'The regime must fall, and I will bring it down' (The Jerusalem Post) — https://jpost.com/
50. Trump Warns of 'Another Little Epic Fury' Against Iran (IndiaTimes) — https://indiatimes.com/
51. Trump warns of possible new military operation against Iran (Anadolu Agency) — https://aa.com.tr/
52. After Iran, Trump is going to take on Cuba, sending Marco Rubio there (Ukranews.com) — https://ukranews.com/
53. Trump says US warships could stop off Cuba on way back from Iran war (CBC.ca) — https://cbc.ca/
54. Rubio urges Cubans to contact CIA (Taipei Times) — https://taipeitimes.com/
55. Cuba rejects Rubio’s call for CIA intervention, Trump’s military hints (Arab News) — https://arabnews.com/