1. Where the date comes from:*$ESPORTS $IDOL $LYN
- On Oct 27-28, Wall Street Journal reported, citing people briefed on conversations, that the US told several Gulf Arab countries through diplomatic and military channels to prepare for a *possible* "short, intense military campaign" against Iran *after* the Nov 3 midterm elections.
- On Oct 31, MS NOW reported that three senior Gulf Arab officials said the administration briefed partners to prepare for strikes *as early as Nov 4*, the day after midterms.
*2. What the White House actually says:*
The White House declined to comment on "sensitive military plans that may or may not exist" and said "President Trump keeps all options on the table to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon." Trump himself said Friday that Iran "wants to talk" and the war will be over "very soon."
*3. It's contingency planning, not a declared war:*
- Trump has publicly said he will NOT attack before the midterms. That does not mean an attack is scheduled for Nov 4.
- No final decision has been made, according to WSJ and others. It is described as one of two paths - military campaign or a deal.
- Gulf states are reportedly pushing Washington to de-escalate because they fear Iranian retaliation on their territory, and some may object to US strikes being launched from bases on their soil.
- On Oct 27-28, Wall Street Journal reported, citing people briefed on conversations, that the US told several Gulf Arab countries through diplomatic and military channels to prepare for a *possible* "short, intense military campaign" against Iran *after* the Nov 3 midterm elections.
- On Oct 31, MS NOW reported that three senior Gulf Arab officials said the administration briefed partners to prepare for strikes *as early as Nov 4*, the day after midterms.
*2. What the White House actually says:*
The White House declined to comment on "sensitive military plans that may or may not exist" and said "President Trump keeps all options on the table to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon." Trump himself said Friday that Iran "wants to talk" and the war will be over "very soon."
*3. It's contingency planning, not a declared war:*
- Trump has publicly said he will NOT attack before the midterms. That does not mean an attack is scheduled for Nov 4.
- No final decision has been made, according to WSJ and others. It is described as one of two paths - military campaign or a deal.
- Gulf states are reportedly pushing Washington to de-escalate because they fear Iranian retaliation on their territory, and some may object to US strikes being launched from bases on their soil.
