Washington prepares for possible resumption of military operations against Iran as Israel raises its alert level

⏱️ Timeline

1. 8 Oct 2026, 02:29 Axios reported that the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) issued an order to US Central Command to prepare to resume strikes against Iran.
2. 8 Oct 2026, 02:41 Axios reported that Israel may join the United States if Washington decides to resume military strikes against Iran. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran no longer fully controls the Strait of Hormuz, while President Donald Trump spoke of a severe economic crisis and inflation exceeding 300% and the resignation of Iran's oil minister, with US pressure and sanctions continuing.
3. 8 Oct 2026, 03:00 US officials said the Pentagon had directed US Central Command several days earlier to complete preparations for resuming large-scale military operations in Iran, without setting a date or a final decision by President Donald Trump. US and Israeli sources indicated this could happen before the US midterm elections scheduled for November 3 and before the Israeli elections, with heavy bombardment expected against targets in the energy, infrastructure and nuclear facilities sectors.
4. 8 Oct 2026, 09:04 Al Arabiya reported that Washington is studying establishing new military bases in Israel amid Iranian threats, and is reviewing its force deployment.
5. 8 Oct 2026, 15:05 US President Donald Trump held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the second between them in days, after Netanyahu held a meeting with the national security team to discuss the Iran file. At the same time the Pentagon directed US Central Command (CENTCOM) to complete preparations to resume major combat operations against Iran without setting a date for the start of strikes, and Trump has not taken a final decision on military action.
6. 8 Oct 2026, 19:06 A fire broke out aboard the VLCC supertanker "Dhalkut", sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, about 30 nautical miles east of Fujairah in the Gulf of Oman, the second incident targeting a tanker in less than 12 hours, after another tanker was hit by projectiles about 51 nautical miles north of Qatar's coast. There was no official confirmation of the cause of the fire, but navigation monitors raised the possibility the tanker was attacked by Iran, and the incident coincided with Brent crude rising above $102.
7. 8 Oct 2026, 19:28 US President Donald Trump said the United States will not attack Iran before the midterm elections, stressing that the blockade continues at full strength. CENTCOM announced that more than 1.25 billion barrels of oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran did not ship a single barrel in the same period due to the US blockade imposed on its ports.
8. 8 Oct 2026, 20:53 Axios quoted a US official saying that US officials briefed Israel on preparations for possible operations against Iran within three weeks.
9. 8 Oct 2026, 20:55 Israel's Channel 14 cited an Israeli assessment that a return to fighting against Iran is likely in the coming weeks, noting Israel is at maximum alert. Israel's Channel 12 reported that Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir was briefed on US military preparations for a possible resumption of fighting against Iran within the next three weeks, and warned that such a step could lead to postponing the elections. Israeli media also reported that the security establishment held situation-assessment sessions and raised readiness, with scenarios including an Iranian attack, an Israeli military action, or an operation coordinated with the United States.
10. 8 Oct 2026, 21:12 The US Treasury Department announced sanctions on 17 ships and 18 companies linked to Iran, and the US Treasury Secretary said Washington continues to pursue parties that enable Iran to sell its oil.
11. 8 Oct 2026, 23:12 Israel's Channel 12 said Washington and Tel Aviv are planning to resume the war on Iran before the Israeli elections scheduled for October 27, contrary to statements by US President Donald Trump, who stressed that his country will not attack Iran before the US congressional midterm elections on November 3. It quoted unnamed officials saying Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned the Americans that a possible strike could lead to postponing the elections.
12. 9 Oct 2026, 00:51 The New York Times reported that the US military prepared options for resuming major combat operations against Iran, including striking the drone and missile arsenal, energy facilities and Revolutionary Guard centers, while President Donald Trump remains hesitant about reigniting the war. The newspaper noted that 3 US aircraft carriers would soon be in the Middle East, and that negotiations over Iran's nuclear program still face obstacles.
13. 9 Oct 2026, 07:49 It was reported that the Pentagon prepared plans for an intensive military campaign against Iran lasting about three days, including targeting Iran's missile and drone arsenal, energy facilities and Revolutionary Guard command centers, while President Donald Trump continues to hesitate over resuming the war after rejecting five proposals for wide operations in recent months. This coincides with a US military buildup in the Middle East including three aircraft carriers and more than 20,000 sailors and Marines.
14. 9 Oct 2026, 15:37 A US military source said US forces received mobilization orders starting October 4 and remained ready to carry out a wide military strike on Iran, awaiting final orders until the early hours of Monday, amid reports that President Donald Trump is considering intensive strikes against Iran lasting three days.
15. 9 Oct 2026, 17:21 Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir indicated the possibility of postponing the elections in Israel amid the prospect of a strike on Iran, according to Al Arabiya. Ynet reported that he warned senior US administration and military officials that resuming the war with Iran in the coming weeks could force the postponement of the Israeli elections scheduled for October 27.

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