President Donald Trump is weighing new strikes against Iran before the U.S. midterm elections, with the White House requesting military options from the Pentagon, according to The Atlantic. The potential targets, scope and decision to proceed remain under discussion.

A subsequent Axios report said the Pentagon had instructed U.S. Central Command to complete preparations for a possible return to major combat operations. No final decision or attack date has been set. Sources said a broader campaign could target Iranian nuclear facilities, energy infrastructure and other infrastructure.

The timing remains contentious. According to The Atlantic’s reporting, some officials favor limited strikes before the vote to demonstrate military progress. Others argue for waiting, warning that renewed fighting, particularly American casualties, could damage Republican candidates. Options for a broader campaign after the elections are also being considered.

Even supporters of limited strikes reportedly acknowledge their limitations: bombing alone would not produce an agreement with Tehran, guarantee safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz or bring gasoline prices down before voters cast their ballots.

For Israel, the implications extend beyond Washington’s political calendar. Axios reported renewed consultations between Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while warning that an expanded campaign could trigger another wave of Iranian ballistic missile attacks against Israel.

The nuclear dispute remains the central obstacle to an agreement. Vice President JD Vance told Reuters that Washington requires actual reductions in Iran’s uranium-enrichment capacity, not assurances of future restraint. “We’re not going to trade words for actions,” he said. A senior Iranian official countered that recognition of Iran’s right to enrichment remains a non-negotiable demand.

The unresolved questions concern both Iran’s capabilities and its nuclear material. Reuters reported that Tehran has not informed the International Atomic Energy Agency how much enriched uranium survived earlier attacks or allowed inspectors back into the bombed sites. Before the 2025 strikes, Iran had accumulated uranium enriched to 60%, approaching the roughly 90% level used in nuclear weapons. Iran denies seeking a nuclear arsenal.

Vance also acknowledged uncertainty over how much authority Iran’s negotiating counterparts actually wield, adding another complication to efforts to turn indirect talks into an enforceable agreement.