US President Donald Trump is considering reviving his military campaign against Iran through a series of strikes lasting several days, with Iranian missile systems, drones, energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities among the potential targets, according to reports by American media outlets citing officials familiar with the discussions.
The American magazine The Atlantic reported that the strikes could take place immediately after the US congressional midterm elections, as Washington weighs renewed military action against Tehran.
Officials cited by the magazine said the potential targets include Iran’s missile capabilities, unmanned aerial vehicles, energy facilities and nuclear infrastructure.
The discussions come as the Trump administration continues to exert economic pressure on Iran, while Tehran maintains its refusal to yield to Washington’s demands.
According to the officials, some within the American administration believe that economic pressure has brought Iran close to a breaking point and that another round of military strikes could push the country towards collapse.
However, the officials acknowledged that no final decision had been made to launch attacks following the midterm elections, despite indications that preparations for such an operation may be underway.
White House Rules Out Strikes Before US Elections
The revelations follow an earlier report by The Wall Street Journal, which quoted a White House spokesperson as saying that Washington would not launch an attack against Iran before the congressional midterm elections.
The statement suggests that the American administration is seeking to avoid another military confrontation before the vote, even as discussions continue over the possibility of renewed strikes afterwards.
The newspaper also cited regional officials who said the risk of military escalation was being taken seriously, particularly as Trump’s threats against Iran continued and Tehran remained unwilling to submit to his demands.
The competing developments have placed renewed attention on whether the United States intends to use additional military pressure to force concessions from Iran or pursue a broader campaign aimed at weakening the Iranian state.
The suggestion that further strikes could push Iran towards collapse reflects the assessment of officials cited by The Atlantic, rather than an established outcome of the proposed military action.
Netanyahu Presses Washington to Resume Attacks on Iran
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been pressing for the resumption of military strikes inside Iran.
According to the newspaper, Israel has already provided US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth with a list of potential Iranian targets based on intelligence assessments.
The submission of the target list indicates that Israel is actively advocating renewed military action while Washington considers the timing and scope of a possible American operation.
The Israeli pressure comes as the Trump administration weighs the political consequences of another confrontation, particularly before the American midterm elections.
Although no final decision to attack Iran has been announced, the discussions reported by The Atlantic and The Wall Street Journal suggest that renewed strikes remain under consideration.
The potential operation could involve several days of attacks against Iranian military and strategic infrastructure, with officials examining whether the combination of economic pressure and additional military force could achieve objectives that previous operations have not secured.
For now, the central uncertainty is whether Washington will translate those discussions into military action after the elections, as Netanyahu continues to push for another round of strikes against Iran.
