Iran expands strike list as U.S. and Israel weigh post-election action

The Middle East is preparing for a potential return to all-out war as the United States and Israel consider new strikes against Iran shortly after Tuesday’s midterm elections. Two Iranian officials said their delegation left Qatar after days of talks, but communications with Washington continue through the mediator. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the discussions.

U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters on Sunday evening that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a very good call on Saturday. Trump said they discussed Iran but offered no details. Netanyahu’s office has remained silent on the conversation. Netanyahu lost his parliamentary majority in last week’s election, yet there are growing fears he is pushing for military action to stay in power through an emergency government.

Tehran is simultaneously expanding its threats while maintaining a diplomatic track. The new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, met with military chiefs and ordered that any response to U.S. or Israeli threats be immediate and without geographic limits. He urged an expansion of the list of potential targets. Khamenei has not been seen publicly since the February 28 strikes that killed his father.

Iran’s security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, warned that any attack would bring devastating blows using new weapons. In an interview with state television, Rezaei said the tone from the U.S. had completely changed, which he called a very good sign. He noted that Iran has not yet responded to a letter from U.S. Vice President JD Vance. Rezaei also said there has been no decision to change Iran’s nuclear doctrine, though some Iranians are questioning that stance if attacked again.

Washington seeks to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and wants to address the issue in any new talks. Tehran wants to discuss the nuclear issue later. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the final outcome depends on answers to Iranian questions. He made the comments during a one-day visit to Turkmenistan on Monday.

The diplomatic efforts aim to avert new attacks. Tehran has said it is waiting for the latest U.S. response to a proposal that would fully open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping within two days if Washington meets several conditions. More attacks on commercial ships were reported in the strait during October, marking the busiest month for assaults since the war began in March.

Gulf states are caught in the middle of the conflict. At the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, United Arab Emirates presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said the region does not want another round of confrontation. He acknowledged that U.S. and Iranian stances are far apart and warned that if they are not bridged, the worst must be feared. The UAE has faced the largest number of attacks from Iran, with more than 3,000 drones and ballistic missiles targeting airports and oil facilities. Most were intercepted.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told the gathering that the second round of escalation will be more dangerous and destructive. China will send a special envoy to Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia in early to mid-November. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning confirmed the trip on Monday. President Xi Jinping said the Gulf region should not become an arena for great-power rivalry and geopolitical conflict, calling for a return to dialogue in a meeting with Oman’s sultan.