In an aerial view, the Pentagon, headquarters for the United States Department of Defense, is seen on August 13, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia, US. /VCG In an aerial view, the Pentagon, headquarters for the United States Department of Defense, is seen on August 13, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia, US. /VCG The Pentagon instructed US Central Command several days ago to complete preparations for resuming major combat operations in Iran, news website Axios reported on Wednesday, citing US officials. US and Israeli sources said the strikes could take place before the US midterm elections, which will be held on November 3, and possibly before the Israeli elections a week earlier, the report said. Potential combat operations include massive bombing campaigns targeting Iranian energy, infrastructure and nuclear facilities, according to the sources. Less than a month before the US midterms, affordability is the biggest issue for voters, who are blaming Republicans, the party in power. The war in Iran has caused gas prices to surge, driving up costs across industries including shipping, trucking, air travel and food. A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday showed that US President Donald Trump's approval rating remained at a record low of 32%, unchanged from a September poll that marked the lowest rating of his political career. Cost of living is the top issue on Americans' minds as they decide how to vote next month, the Reuters/Ipsos poll found.
In an aerial view, the Pentagon, headquarters for the United States Department of Defense, is seen on August 13, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia, US. /VCG In an aerial view, the Pentagon, headquarters for the United States Department of Defense, is seen on August 13, 2026 in Arlingto…
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At a Kentucky rally, President Donald Trump stated that the US-Iran conflict would end "very quickly" and that gas prices would subsequently decrease, while asserting that recent US strikes eliminated Iran's nuclear capacity. Separately, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh reportedly told state-run IRNA that ending hostilities across all fronts is essential for lasting regional peace.
At a campaign rally in Kentucky, President Trump stated that the ongoing conflict with Iran would conclude "very quickly," predicting a subsequent decrease in domestic energy costs. He characterized recent military strikes on Iranian targets as a necessary measure to dismantle the country's nuclear capabilities, asserting that preventing a nuclear-armed Iran remains a paramount national security priority.
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