Overview
- The White House asked the Pentagon on Wednesday to develop military options that could be used before the November midterm elections, according to reporting from multiple outlets.
- The Pentagon has told U.S. Central Command to finish preparations for resuming major combat operations in Iran, but it has not received a final launch order.
- Vice President J.D. Vance publicly set concrete nuclear‑enrichment rollbacks, including stopping production of 60% enriched fuel, as a precondition for any negotiated end to the war.
- Officials warn a renewed campaign could put about 50,000 U.S. troops and Gulf partners at greater risk, further deplete U.S. munitions, and likely involve close U.S.-Israeli coordination against energy, infrastructure and nuclear sites.
- Diplomacy remains stalled with mediators awaiting Iranian replies, and the planning has become a political flashpoint as leaders weigh near‑term military options against higher oil prices and domestic political costs.