US and Israel draw up post-midterms Iran strike plans as Hormuz tankers burn and Saudi sites take hits.

The New York Times reported that US and Israeli planners have prepared a short intensive operation targeting Iranian energy sites, nuclear facilities, and missile and drone arsenals, with execution eyed after the November 3 midterm elections. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel earlier this month to discuss options. Joint exercises have included flights over Iraq. Trump publicly stated on October 8 that the US would not attack before the midterms. The planning follows the Iran conflict that began in February 2026 and coincides with today’s reports of seven tankers damaged or on fire in the Strait of Hormuz plus Houthi strikes that killed people at a Saudi airport and oil field.