US preparations for a possible strike on Iran and Trump's hesitation over timing

⏱️ 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 on Iran. US officials said the instructions were issued several days earlier to complete preparations for a possible resumption of wide-scale military operations, without setting a date or a final decision by President Donald Trump, with US and Israeli sources suggesting the potential strikes would target energy, infrastructure and nuclear facilities and could occur before the US midterm elections and the Israeli elections.
2. 8 Oct 2026, 02:41 Axios reported that Israel may join the United States if Washington decides to resume military strikes on 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, inflation exceeding 300% and the resignation of the Iranian oil minister, amid continued US pressure and sanctions.
3. 8 Oct 2026, 05:23 Agenzia Nova reported that President Donald Trump is considering carrying out new military operations in Iran, while US forces were placed on heightened alert.
4. 8 Oct 2026, 09:04 Al Arabiya reported that Washington is studying establishing new military bases in Israel amid Iranian threats, while reports said Washington is reviewing its troop deployment.
5. 8 Oct 2026, 15:05 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 his national security team to discuss the Iran file.
6. 8 Oct 2026, 19:06 A fire broke out aboard the VLCC tanker '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 the Qatari coast. There was no official confirmation of the cause of the fire, but maritime monitoring bodies raised the possibility that the tanker was attacked by Iran, while Brent crude rose above $102.
7. 8 Oct 2026, 19:28 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 shipped no barrels during the same period due to the tight US blockade imposed on its ports.
8. 8 Oct 2026, 20:53 Axios quoted a US official as saying that US officials briefed Israel on preparations for possible operations against Iran within three weeks. Israel's Channel 12 reported that Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir was briefed on US military preparations for a possible resumption of fighting in the next three weeks, and warned that such a step could delay the elections.
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, despite President Donald Trump's statements on the matter, noting that Israel is on maximum alert. Israeli media reported that the security establishment held situation assessment sessions and raised readiness, without a final decision on the timing of any attacks.
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 27 October, contrary to President Donald Trump's statements that the US will not attack Iran before the US congressional midterm elections on 3 November. The channel quoted unnamed officials as saying that Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned the Americans that a possible strike on Iran could lead to delaying the elections.
12. 9 Oct 2026, 00:13 President Donald Trump said envoy Steve Witkoff is working on an agreement with Iran, after reports that talks between Washington and Tehran had resumed.
13. 9 Oct 2026, 00:51 The New York Times reported that the US military has prepared options for resuming major combat operations against Iran, including striking the drone and missile arsenal, energy facilities and IRGC centers, and that the plan was discussed at Camp David. Reports said the campaign could last about three days, that Trump has rejected five proposals for wide operations in recent months and remains hesitant, while three US aircraft carriers are preparing to be in the Middle East with more than 20,000 sailors and Marines.
14. 9 Oct 2026, 15:37 A US military source said US forces received alert orders since 4 October and remained ready to launch a wide military strike on Iran, awaiting final orders until the early hours of Monday, amid reports that Trump is considering intensive strikes for three days.
15. 9 Oct 2026, 17:21 Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir hinted at the possibility of delaying the elections in Israel, amid talk of a possible strike on Iran.

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