Top commander briefs president

The commander of United States forces in the Middle East briefed President Donald Trump on military options against Iran at the White House on Thursday, according to the Wall Street Journal, as reported by Bloomberg. Adm Brad Cooper, who leads US Central Command, was joined by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Dan Caine.

The briefing is the clearest sign yet that Washington is actively weighing a return to strikes, even as officials stress that no final decision has been made.

Airlift and warnings across the region

The reported briefing coincided with visible military movement. Israeli broadcaster Kan News reported that at least 10 US military transport aircraft landed at the Ovda and Nevatim air bases in southern Israel after departing from Texas, with further US aircraft also landing at bases in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Reports also describe an additional Patriot air-defence system being sent to Israel and stocks of munitions and interceptors being replenished. Gulf governments have reportedly been warned to prepare for a possible short, intense campaign after the US midterm elections on 3 November, a warning that has put embassies and energy operators on alert.

Diplomacy running in parallel

At the same time, a diplomatic track remains open. The Wall Street Journal reported that Vice President JD Vance sent a letter to Iran's security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, seeking to revive talks, while Qatari mediators are said to be pressing Tehran to allow UN inspectors access to bombed nuclear sites in exchange for limited sanctions relief and access to frozen funds.

In Tehran, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf suggested Iran's positions on ending the war would not be compromised. Trump has publicly ruled out renewed strikes before the midterms, leaving the days after the vote as the window markets and governments are watching most closely.

Sources: Bloomberg