The Pentagon has instructed US Central Command to complete preparations for a return to major combat operations against Iran, Axios reported Wednesday, citing US officials.

According to the report by Barak Ravid, the order was issued several days ago and carries no date for launching strikes. President Trump has not made a final decision.

US and Israeli sources told Axios that strikes could come before the US midterm elections, and possibly before Israel’s elections a week earlier. One Israeli official cautioned that the odds of action before the vote are low but not ruled out, and rise sharply after the midterms.

A renewed campaign would reportedly involve heavy bombing of Iranian energy, infrastructure and nuclear targets, carried out jointly with Israel, with the IDF taking part.

A White House official told Axios that all options remain available to the president and that the situation will be resolved “the easy way or the hard way.”

The report follows a Camp David meeting of Trump’s national security team on Friday and a Wednesday call between Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, their second in days. Talks with Tehran remain stalled, with Qatari mediators still awaiting Iran’s answer to a US counterproposal.

Two Israeli officials told Axios the Iranian regime is desperate and may strike first.