US warns regional allies to prepare for possible Iran strikes after election
Two diplomats say US officials have urged Middle Eastern allies to prepare for possible strikes on Iran and retaliation. President Donald Trump has made no final decision.
US officials have warned several Middle Eastern countries and regional allies to prepare for possible strikes on Iran after the November 3 US midterm elections, and for potential Iranian retaliation, The Korea Herald reported on October 29, carrying Associated Press reporting. The warning raises concern for regional infrastructure, although President Donald Trump has made no final decision to attack.
The account came from two diplomats briefed on warnings conveyed by US diplomatic and defence officials, according to the report. Both spoke anonymously because they were not authorised to discuss the matter. The White House and US officials declined to comment.
What regional allies were told to prepare for
US officials urged allies to take precautions against possible Iranian strikes on energy facilities and other critical infrastructure, the diplomats said. They were told a new round of US military action could last several days, while regional officials feared retaliation by Iran and its proxy groups could prolong the confrontation.
Trump has repeatedly said he is weighing further military action after the elections, the report said. The US has not struck Iran since early September, according to the same account. The warning to allies concerns a possible operation; the diplomats stressed that no final decision had been made.
Diplomatic response and oil-market pressure
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday that Tehran continued to give diplomacy a chance. He said it was working with mediators to review ideas from an Iranian proposal that Tehran wanted to use as a basis for returning to a ceasefire, according to The Korea Herald. The United Arab Emirates Foreign Ministry urged the sides to pursue political solutions to contain tensions and avert a return to full-scale fighting.
The risk of renewed attacks was already weighing on oil markets. The National reported that Brent crude rose 0.87% to $114.87 a barrel and US West Texas Intermediate rose 1.59% to $101.49 at 2pm UAE time on October 28. It attributed supply concerns partly to the prospect of another large US offensive against Iran, alongside Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. Those figures describe trading at that time, rather than current prices.
Araghchi also warned that a possible Israeli-instigated escalation in the Gulf could have a devastating effect on international markets, The National reported. His warning was the subject of earlier NewsJaws coverage of the potential market impact of a Gulf attack. The latest reported US messages add a practical concern for allies: preparing to protect facilities if a decision to strike is made and Iran responds.
Read in depth: World
Airline groups ask US CDC to reconsider Ebola travel declarations
IATA and Airlines for America say airlines have too little time to collect declarations from every US-bound passenger and crew member before a planned November 3 start.
KHNP ends Dukovany builder talks and plans tender for new contractor
South Korea’s nuclear operator has ended construction contract negotiations with the designated Daewoo–Doosan consortium, adding a new contractor selection step to the Czech...
Sources and context
- US warns allies to prepare for possible Iran strikesThe Korea Herald, carrying Associated Press reporting
- Oil prices up due to Houthi strikes and US threat to renew Iran warThe National
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.