In brief
The U.S. has warned Gulf states to prepare for a brief, high‑intensity attack on Iran, as reported by the Wall Street Journal to Xinhua. U.S. and Israeli forces are reportedly amassing ammunition and drafting potential target lists, while President Donald Trump remains undecided but leans toward a strike on Iranian infrastructure and nuclear sites. No final decision has been announced, and conditions for action are still being evaluated.
The United States has warned several Gulf countries to prepare for a brief but intense military campaign against Iran, a development reported by The Wall Street Journal for Xinhua on October 28, 2026. The warning comes after the U.S. midterm elections and is aimed at coordinating a possible strike against Iranian infrastructure and nuclear facilities.
According to the report, U.S. forces stationed in the Middle East are replenishing ammunition stocks, while bombers and fighter jets are being readied for potential sorties. The preparations include loading memory cartridges, extending sortie rates, and refining strike plans in collaboration with allied forces stationed at strategic bases.
Israel has also drawn up plans and identified specific targets for a possible new attack, the journal reported. Israeli intelligence assessments point toward key infrastructure sites, air defense assets, and missile launch complexes as high-priority objectives. The joint efforts with U.S. units aim to synchronize airspace control and electronic warfare measures.
U.S. and Israel Prepping
In addition to replenishing munitions, U.S. and Israeli command centers are conducting rehearsals that simulate high‑volume strike scenarios. These exercises focus on air interdiction, precision strike, and rapid intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance cycles. Commanders from both nations are reportedly reviewing the latest threat assessments from the defense intelligence community.
The report also highlights that the President of the United States has not made a final decision regarding the strike. Donald Trump, the report says, has not yet ruled out a launch once the necessary conditions are met. Sources briefed on the conversations note that the president leans toward launching a major attack on Iranian infrastructure and nuclear sites but has left a decision open to negotiation.
Trump’s Position and Potential Strike
Trump last week commented that the United States might launch another "little Epic Fury," a phrase that references the spring bombing campaign executed in partnership with Israeli forces. He also mentioned that Iran could agree to a deal that would sidestep a direct military confrontation. The president has stated that he will not attack Iran before the midterm election but will consider action afterward.
The call to Gulf allies, as outlined by the Wall Street Journal, suggests that regional forces are expected to support air defense and intelligence sharing. The Gulf states that received the directive include Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain. Each of these nations has supplied logistical support to U.S. forces operating in the theater.
Officials cited in the article described the expected campaign as “brief but intense.” This characterization implies a limited‑duration operation that would focus on crippling critical infrastructure while avoiding longer‑term entanglement. Analysts indicate that the U.S. would likely conduct a coordinated bombing round followed by a rapid withdrawal of forces.
There is also speculation that the strike could target Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile bases, and command centers. According to U.S. intelligence assessments referenced in the report, disrupting these sites could impose a strategic setback on Tehran’s deterrence posture.
However, uncertainties remain regarding the final trigger for the strike. The report stresses that President Trump has not yet decided whether to launch or to pursue a diplomatic settlement. The decision hinges on a variety of factors, including Iran’s compliance with past agreements, the geopolitical climate, and the timing of a U.S. government transition post‑midterms.
In conclusion, while the United States has signaled readiness for a short‑duration strike on Iran post‑midterms, the absence of a confirmed order and the potential for negotiations keep the final outcome uncertain. Gulf allies are on standby to support a rapid operational envelope should the president sanction the campaign. The situation remains fluid, and subsequent developments will likely be influenced by both military assessments and diplomatic signals.
