The U.S. military has prepared a series of strike options against Iran that could be implemented following the U.S. midterm elections on Nov. 3. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has drafted plans for follow-up attacks on Iranian military, energy, and nuclear infrastructure if authorized by the White House. While President Donald Trump stated on Oct. 21 that the U.S. is not currently negotiating with Iran, White House officials have indicated that no kinetic actions will occur before the upcoming elections to avoid destabilizing oil markets.
The planning follows an eight-month conflict that has resulted in a U.S. naval blockade and rising inflation within the Iranian economy. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently visited U.S. troops in the Middle East and met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss regional security. According to Israeli sources, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have coordinated with U.S. officials on joint strike options, though a final decision rests with the U.S. presidency.
Military options presented to the administration include targeting petrochemical facilities and nuclear sites, specifically Pickaxe Mountain near the Natanz uranium enrichment facility. Sources familiar with the planning report that the U.S. is considering the use of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), the largest non-nuclear bomb in the U.S. arsenal. While the MOAB is designed for psychological impact and clearing large surface areas, some officials expressed doubt that it could penetrate the granite layers protecting facilities buried 2,000 feet underground.
The scale of the conflict is reflected in global energy markets, where Brent crude oil reached $117 per barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate traded at $102 on Oct. 23. For U.S. households, these figures represent the highest oil prices since May. Iranian officials have stated that any renewed attacks will result in "more aggressive" retaliation, naming undersea cables in the Persian Gulf, AI data centers, and regional tech infrastructure as specific targets. The Pentagon previously reported that prior stages of the conflict destroyed 90 percent of Iran's ballistic missile and drone industrial base, yet diplomatic negotiations remain stalled.
Current military preparations include the deployment of 4,000 Marines and sailors led by the USS Makin Island to provide options for amphibious operations. While some administration officials have characterized the conflict as nearly won, U.S. intelligence recently reported that Iranian plots to target U.S. personnel have reached "advanced stages." The immediate timeline remains tied to the Nov. 3 midterm elections, after which the White House will determine whether to proceed with the prepared strike packages or pursue further diplomatic efforts.