Trump weighs days of new Iran strikes after US midterms, The Atlantic reports
US President Donald Trump is considering several days of strikes on Iran after the 3 November midterm elections, The Atlantic reported, citing officials. US officials stressed that no decision has been made.
What The Atlantic reported
The magazine said Trump had hoped Iran would return to negotiations before the midterms, but that had not happened, according to Iran International's summary of the report.
One outside adviser told The Atlantic that US economic pressure was working and that more strikes could push Iran closer to collapse.
There were public signs of military preparations, the report said. Some officials hoped that uncertainty over Washington's next move would keep Tehran on edge.
Pressure on Iran's finances
US Central Command commander Admiral Brad Cooper said on Thursday that a US maritime blockade had stopped Iran exporting at least $25bn worth of crude oil over 100 days, Iran International reported.
Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, acknowledged in an interview with Drop Site published on Thursday that Iran would suffer from a prolonged blockade, Iran International reported.
New security talks in Istanbul
Separately, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan are set to meet Britain, France and Germany for security-focused talks in Istanbul. It is the first time the seven countries have met in this format, Iran International said.
The meeting comes as attacks on ships and regional energy infrastructure continue, and oil prices have reached a five-month high.
| Group | Members | Notes (Iran International) |
|---|---|---|
| R4 | Turkey, Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia | Regular talks since March over Houthi threats |
| Mecca defence pact | Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan | Attack on one counts as an attack on all three |
| European side | Britain, France, Germany | Joining with concerns over energy |
Egypt's parliament is due to decide on Monday, 26 October, whether to deploy forces to support Saudi Arabia. Egypt is not a member of the Mecca pact.
