The United States and Israel could launch a new military assault on Iran shortly after the US midterm elections, with a potentially devastating week-long bombing campaign reportedly under consideration unless last-minute diplomatic efforts produce an agreement, according to Axios.
The reported military plans come as Qatar leads an urgent diplomatic initiative to prevent another confrontation, with negotiations centred on Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, American sanctions, a US naval blockade and billions in frozen Iranian assets.
Axios reported that the likelihood of a renewed US-Israeli attack has increased, raising the possibility of another major military escalation despite ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
A Week of Strikes Targeting Iran’s Leadership and Infrastructure
According to American and Israeli officials cited by Axios, the potential military campaign could involve seven days of intensive strikes against some of Iran’s most strategically important targets.
The reported targets include Iranian leadership, energy facilities, nuclear installations and critical infrastructure.
The scale and nature of the proposed strikes suggest that any renewed confrontation could extend well beyond a limited attack on nuclear facilities, potentially targeting the country’s political leadership and broader infrastructure.
Military coordination between Washington and Israel is also reportedly underway.
Axios said Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir had spoken with Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, to coordinate preparations for possible attacks.
The discussions come as both countries consider their military options while diplomatic intermediaries attempt to secure an agreement capable of preventing another escalation.
Trump: ‘We Have to Finish the Job’
US President Donald Trump acknowledged that negotiations with Iran were continuing through intermediaries but expressed uncertainty over whether they would produce an agreement.
Speaking to Axios, Trump indicated that Washington remained prepared to pursue alternatives to diplomacy if the talks failed.
“We have to finish the job, either through a deal or in another way, and we’ll see whether the negotiations succeed,” Trump said.
His remarks come as Qatar attempts to bridge substantial differences between the American and Iranian positions, particularly over uranium enrichment, sanctions relief and Tehran’s demands for economic and maritime concessions.
Qatar Pushes for a Deal as Washington and Tehran Remain Divided
Qatar has emerged as the central mediator in the latest diplomatic efforts, with Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey supporting the initiative, according to sources cited by Axios.
The negotiations are focused on finding a compromise that could satisfy American demands over Iran’s nuclear programme while addressing Tehran’s insistence that Washington ease its economic and military pressure.
One proposal under discussion would allow United Nations inspectors to visit Iranian nuclear facilities previously targeted by bombardment.
In exchange, Iran would receive relief from some of the US sanctions imposed on the country.
Qatari officials have reportedly been working to persuade Tehran to accept the arrangement, although the broader negotiations remain complicated by disagreements over the sequencing of concessions.
Earlier this week, Qatari negotiator Ali al-Dhawadi travelled to Tehran for discussions with Iranian officials regarding a possible agreement with the Trump administration.
His visit formed part of an effort to narrow the differences between Washington and Tehran before the prospect of renewed military action becomes a reality.
Iran Demands an End to the Naval Blockade Before Surrendering Uranium
One of the central obstacles remains the fundamentally different demands being advanced by the two sides.
The United States wants Iran to surrender its stockpile of enriched uranium, a major American objective in the negotiations.
Tehran, however, insists that Washington must first lift its naval blockade and release frozen Iranian funds.
A regional source familiar with the discussions told Axios that Qatari mediators had presented proposals designed to bridge the gap between these positions.
The disagreement centres not only on what each country is prepared to concede, but also on which side must act first.
While Washington is pressing Iran to relinquish its enriched uranium stockpile, Tehran is demanding tangible American measures to ease the pressure imposed on the country before accepting such concessions.
The diplomatic efforts are unfolding against the reported possibility of a major US-Israeli military campaign shortly after the midterm elections.
Whether Qatar and its regional partners can secure an agreement remains uncertain, particularly as American and Israeli military coordination continues alongside negotiations.
For now, the reported prospect of a week-long bombing campaign targeting Iran’s leadership, energy sector, nuclear facilities and infrastructure remains tied to the outcome of diplomatic efforts that have yet to resolve the fundamental differences between Washington and Tehran.
