Trump Reportedly Delayed Iran Attack, Plans Set for Post-Election

The United States and Israel were on the verge of launching an attack against Iran earlier this month, but U.S. President Donald Trump decided to postpone it shortly before it was set to begin, according to a report by The New York Times citing American officials and sources familiar with the discussions. Detailed plans for resuming strikes after the U.S. midterm elections had reportedly been finalized by both militaries. The decision to delay came after the U.S. military and the IDF had completed extensive preparations and placed their air forces on the highest alert. The report did not specify the reason for Trump's decision at that time. The plans reportedly focus on a short, intense operation targeting energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and missile and drone depots. Some American officials believe a broad round of attacks could push the Iranian economy to the brink of collapse, forcing Tehran to make concessions in negotiations. Discussions included an assessment that even an intense three-day strike could inflict significant economic damage on Iran, potentially altering its diplomatic stance, though this is an estimate by involved parties and not a predetermined outcome. Concurrently, the U.S. military is expected to complete its regional deployment by early November, which includes positioning three aircraft carriers, thousands of Marines, fighter jets, and special forces. Iranian sources, however, have warned that Tehran's response to further attacks would be broader, potentially targeting data centers and undersea cables, beyond just ships and energy infrastructure in the region.