US Warns Gulf States to Prepare for Short, Intense Iran Campaign

The United States has informed several Gulf states to prepare for a swift and intense military campaign against Iran, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal, citing sources familiar with the discussions. The report indicates that President Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision on how to proceed but is leaning towards ordering a broad, short-term strike targeting Iran's infrastructure and nuclear sites. Concurrently, the U.S. is increasing its military presence in the region.

President Trump, responding to questions about potential further actions against Iran after the U.S. midterm elections in November, stated that "everything is possible." This follows his earlier assertion that he was responsible for preventing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's defeat in Israel's recent elections.

Netanyahu described the current situation as a "unique, historic opportunity" with the U.S. to permanently eliminate the existential threat posed by Iran. Meanwhile, a Pentagon estimate obtained by Reuters places the cost of potential U.S. military operations against Iran at over $47 billion.

In related news, Rafael Grossi, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), informed the UN Security Council that the agency has not detected any signs of Iran attempting to rebuild nuclear facilities previously attacked by the U.S. and Israel. Grossi also noted that Iran continues to deny IAEA inspectors access to the sites that have been bombed.