Report: U.S. Tells Gulf States to Prepare for Iran Campaign After Midterms as Regional Powers Talk in Tehran

Updated Oct. 29, 2026, 5 PM CT. This article adds the WSJ's report that Trump was briefed on military options for Iran, and UNVERIFIED and UNCONFIRMED reports of explosions near the Strait of Hormuz. The 3 PM update added Kan's report of at least 10 U.S. military transport planes landing in Israel. The 11 AM update added Kan's report that Israel asked the U.S. to approve strikes on Iranian energy sites. The 7 AM update added the Qatar-led seven-day plan and Iran's response, Trump's latest comments, the dispute over the Vance letter's purpose, a blockade boarding advisory and the Pentagon's cost figure. First published Oct. 28.

Status: Reported; not confirmed. The planning described below comes from a Wall Street Journal report, as relayed by Anadolu. AP has since reported similar warnings, citing two diplomats briefed on them. None of it has been officially announced. The diplomatic meetings in Tehran were reported by Al Jazeera, AP and Al-Monitor.

Update, Oct. 29, 5 PM CT: Trump briefed on Iran options; unverified reports of explosions near Hormuz

WSJ: Trump briefed on military options

In an exclusive, the Wall Street Journal reports that CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper briefed President Trump on Thursday on military options for Iran, as the U.S. weighs resuming major combat operations (via WSJ on X). The Jerusalem Post adds that the U.S. is also strengthening its defenses in the region (via Jerusalem Post on X). This is the WSJ's report. No decision has been announced.

UNVERIFIED: explosions reported near Sirik and Qeshm Island

Iran International, citing the IRGC-linked Fars news agency, says several explosions were heard from the sea near Sirik and Qeshm Island by the Strait of Hormuz, and that residents reported flashes in the sky (via Iran International on X). The IRGC-linked Tasnim news agency claims air defenses intercepted a "hostile" fighter jet over Qeshm and forced it to leave (via Iran International on X). There is no official statement, and the reports have not been independently confirmed.

UNCONFIRMED: claimed U.S. strike on Qeshm

The OSINT account Osint613 says U.S. forces "reportedly" hit an IRGC launch squad on Qeshm Island, and that locals report explosions near the airport in Bandar-e-Jask (via Osint613 on X). This is an unconfirmed claim from a single account. Neither the U.S. nor Iran has confirmed it.

Update, Oct. 29, 3 PM CT: U.S. transport planes land in Israel

• The report: Kan reports at least 10 U.S. military transport planes landed in Israel in the past 24 hours (via Kan News on X).
• An Israeli source: the source told Kan that the security services are preparing for Trump's decision on the Iran campaign. No decision has been announced.
• UNCONFIRMED (OSINT claims): OSINT accounts say the planes landed at Ovda and Nevatim, some from Fort Bliss, Texas, with more flights into Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan (via Osint613 on X). These details have not been independently confirmed.

Update, Oct. 29, 11 AM CT: Israel reportedly seeks U.S. approval for energy-site strikes

• The report: Kan, citing an unnamed Israeli official, says Israel asked Washington to approve strikes on Iranian energy facilities that have not yet been hit, in case fighting resumes (Kan, Hebrew; TASS summary, Russian state media). This is based on an unnamed source.
• Washington: no U.S. response has been reported.
• Trump: he says he wants to end the Iran war very quickly (TASS summary).

Update, Oct. 29: a Qatari plan, Iran's rejection and no final decision

• The plan: Qatar, backed by Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey, is pushing a seven-day plan that would let UN inspectors into bombed nuclear sites in exchange for some sanctions relief (CBS News; Axios). This is the plan that was UNCONFIRMED in posts trending on X on Oct. 28. Major outlets have now reported it.
• Iran's response: a senior Iranian official called the plan "unacceptable." Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran is still talking to the mediators (Iran International).
• What's next: Iran's reply to Qatar is expected by Saturday.
• Trump: he said "anything is possible" and has not made a final decision (CBS News). Axios reports a possible week of heavy strikes on leadership, energy and nuclear targets if diplomacy fails.
• The Vance letter: Trump says Vice President Vance's letter to Mohsen Rezaei was about medical supplies. The Wall Street Journal says its purpose was to revive talks (AP; Iran International).
• The blockade: a UK maritime advisory says U.S. forces may question, board or search neutral ships moving between the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz (Gulf News).
• The cost: the Pentagon puts the war's cost at $47.1 billion as of Oct. 16 (Gulf News).

Update, 11 PM CT: AP says the U.S. told allies to prepare

Anonymous sourcing, not an official announcement. AP's report is based on two diplomats briefed on the warnings.

• The warning: U.S. officials have advised several Middle East countries to prepare for renewed U.S. military action against Iran after the Nov. 3 elections. They also told them to prepare for Iranian retaliation against energy sites and other key infrastructure (AP; The Hill's AP copy).
• How long: the U.S. says the strikes could last several days. Regional officials expect a longer fight once Iran and its proxies respond.
• No decision yet: the diplomats stressed that Trump hasn't made a final decision.
• Iran: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran "continues to give diplomacy a chance" through mediators.
• UAE: the United Arab Emirates is urging both sides to seek a political solution.

AP's report follows the earlier Axios and Wall Street Journal reports below.

Update, 9 PM CT: a Pentagon planner removed, and a Hormuz proposal

• Pentagon planner removed (not confirmed by the Pentagon): The Atlantic and The Hill report that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed Lt. Gen. Brett Sylvia, the Joint Staff's top military planner, this week. No explanation was given and no replacement has been named. The Pentagon hasn't confirmed the move publicly. It comes as strikes on Iran are weighed (as relayed by Clash Report and Osint613 on X).
• Strait of Hormuz: Haaretz reports that Iran says it is reviewing a new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz (via Haaretz on X).
• Vance's condition, second report: the Jerusalem Post also reports that Vance told Mohsen Rezaei any talks to head off strikes must deal with the nuclear issue (via Jerusalem Post on X). That matches the Axios report below.

Update, 7 PM CT: a letter to Tehran and a White House timing pledge

• Vance letter (not officially confirmed): Axios, citing a U.S. official, reports that Vice President JD Vance sent a letter to Iran's national security chief, Mohsen Rezaei. Axios calls it the most senior U.S. outreach to Iran in months. The letter reportedly says any talks to head off U.S. strikes must cover the nuclear issue (via Barak Ravid and Osint613 on X).
• Trump: asked whether he directed Vance to open peace talks, Trump said no and described the outreach as getting medical supplies into Iran (via Barak Ravid on X).
• Saudi message (not officially confirmed): after visiting Tehran, Saudi officials told the White House that Iran is worried about a U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign after the midterms, and asked Trump not to rush into war, according to a U.S. official (via Barak Ravid on X).
• White House on timing: spokesperson Anna Kelly told the Jerusalem Post the U.S. "will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the midterm elections." The blockade stays in force (via Amichai Stein on X).
• AP (as reported): AP reports that regional governments are preparing for a U.S. campaign lasting several days (as relayed by Osint613 on X).

Update, 3 PM CT: strike planning and diplomacy at once

All of the items below are reports. None has been officially confirmed.

• Axios: the U.S. and Israel are preparing for a possible week-long bombing campaign after the midterms. Axios says it would be aimed at Iran's leadership, energy and nuclear sites, and that IDF chief of staff Eyal Zamir met CENTCOM about it (via Axios on X).
• Mediation (Barak Ravid): Qatar-led mediators are trying to restart U.S.-Iran talks to head off a campaign (via Barak Ravid on X).
• Tehran's answer (i24NEWS): Qatar expects Tehran's answer, possibly tomorrow, to a proposal that would let UN nuclear inspectors back in for sanctions relief (via i24NEWS on X).
• Turkey meeting (Al-Arabiya): there are talks about a meeting in Turkey before the midterms (Al-Arabiya, as relayed by Amichai Stein on X).

The reported U.S. warning

As reported by WSJ via Anadolu, the United States has told Gulf states to prepare for a "short, intense military campaign" against Iran after the Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections.

• Air defenses: the report says Patriot batteries and munitions are being moved into the region.
• Timing: the campaign is described as coming after the midterms. No date has been announced.

For the White House's response and President Trump's comments, see the World Briefing for Oct. 28.

What leaders said

• Netanyahu, in his election-night speech, vowed to remove the Iranian threat "together with our wonderful friend President Trump."
• Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that any Israeli "military misadventure" in the Gulf would hit global energy markets hard.
• Oman's foreign minister urged the next Israeli leader to "leave Iran alone."

These remarks were reported in AP's and Al Jazeera's live coverage.

Regional powers meet in Tehran

Three regional officials met Iran's leadership in Tehran and agreed to keep talking about regional security (Al Jazeera; AP; Al-Monitor):

• Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman
• Pakistan's army chief, Asim Munir
• Turkey's intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalin

A Pakistani official told Reuters that Munir brought a proposal, with President Trump's blessing, meant to offer something to both Washington and Tehran (as relayed in the coverage above). The details of the proposal have not been made public.

Meanwhile, the Houthis fired more missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia.

This is the main diplomatic track that could still prevent a new round of strikes.

Why it matters for Americans

• U.S. forces: a renewed campaign would involve American forces and air defenses in the Gulf.
• Energy prices: Iran's foreign minister warned that fighting in the Gulf would hit global energy markets hard, and those markets set U.S. fuel prices.
• Timing: the reported timeline puts any decision just after Americans vote on Nov. 3.
• Diplomacy: a proposal reportedly carrying the President's blessing is on the table in Tehran, so diplomacy is still in play.

Renewed fighting with Iran may be weeks away, whoever ends up running Israel's government. For the election count, see the latest results.