Pentagon ordered to be ready for possible Iran strikes as Trump weighs timing: Axios
Axios, citing US officials, reported the Pentagon told CENTCOM to finish preparations for resuming major combat operations against Iran, with Trump yet to make a final decision.
The Pentagon instructed US Central Command several days ago to conclude preparations for resuming major combat operations against Iran, according to a report by Axios published on Thursday and cited by Al Arabiya English (https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2026/10/08/pentagon-ordered-to-be-ready-for-possible-iran-strikes-as-trump-weighs-timing-report-).
Axios reported, citing US officials, that no specific date has been set for any operation and that US President Donald Trump has not made a final decision. If operations resume, US and Israeli officials told Axios they could take place before the US midterm elections on 3 November 2026, and possibly before the Israeli elections a week earlier, with strikes expected to target Iranian energy, infrastructure and nuclear facilities.
A Pentagon official told Axios: “The Department’s job is to develop and present military options to the President.” A White House official said Trump “has all options available at any time,” adding that “the U.S. is in a very strong position with control of the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian economy collapsing,” and that “President Trump holds all the cards and will do whatever is best for the United States.”
The report follows Trump’s national security team meeting at Camp David on 2 October. The Atlantic reported that advisers disagree over timing, with some reportedly arguing for action after the midterms to avoid fuel-price spikes, while the Wall Street Journal reported that a third carrier strike group and 9,000–10,000 troops are heading to the Middle East by the end of November. The story has also been covered by TRT World and Anadolu.
File photo: a US Navy carrier strike group. (Image: US Navy / file photo)
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