Pentagon Drafts Plans for Three-Day Air Campaign Against Iran, Reports Say
The Pentagon has reportedly delivered final plans to CENTCOM for a three-day air campaign against Iran, targeting military infrastructure and energy sites amid political delays.
The Pentagon has delivered final operational plans to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) for an intensive three-day air campaign against Iran, according to Western diplomatic sources cited by the UAE-based news outlet Erem News. This dramatic report has not yet received independent confirmation from official U.S. sources or major mainstream media outlets.
Operational Readiness and Targets
According to the sources, American and Israeli military and logistical preparations for a potential wide-scale strike have been completed operationally, leaving the final decision primarily political. Information leaked from a recent high-level administration meeting at Camp David, led by Vice President JD Vance, indicates a target bank significantly broader than facilities linked to Iran's nuclear program.
The targets reportedly include Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) command and control centers, facilities used by Iran to rebuild military manufacturing capabilities, missile stockpiles and launchers, and infrastructure for deploying explosive drones. The sources noted that Tehran managed to restore some of these capabilities during the recent lull.
The plans also weigh strikes on energy facilities and national infrastructure to intensify economic pressure on the regime and reduce its ability to use control of the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic leverage.
Political Considerations and Timing
Erem News reported that the reason the operation has not yet been executed is not military unpreparedness, but political considerations tied to the upcoming U.S. midterm elections on November 3 and the upcoming elections in Israel. President Donald Trump has stated that the U.S. will not strike Iran prior to the midterms, while also noting that "productive" talks are underway with Tehran.
A war is currently unpopular in the U.S., and a strike before the midterms could jeopardize Republican chances. Trump aims to maintain a Republican majority in the Senate, without which his final two years in office would face severe legislative hurdles. Similarly, a strike prior to the elections in Israel could disrupt the proper conduct of the vote.
