The U.S. Central Command, which oversees the Middle East, has prepared various options to strike Iran following the midterm elections next month and reported them to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the U.S. media outlet The Hill reported on the 24th (local time).

Sources stated that Central Command has prepared plans to launch airstrikes against Iran if the White House approves the operation, and President Donald Trump will keep all options open until a final decision is made.

In response to inquiries from The Hill, a U.S. Department of Defense official said, "It is our job to prepare and present military options to the president," adding, "We do not speculate on hypothetical situations or future operations."

Central Command declined to comment.

President Trump has also hinted at the possibility of resuming attacks on Iran after the midterm elections.

Speaking to reporters on the 21st, he said the U.S. is not negotiating with Iran, adding, "Something will happen either way before too long. I think most people think it will be after the election, and we'll see how it turns out."

During a campaign rally in Florida on the 23rd, he raised the possibility of military action, saying, "We could do another little 'Epic Fury' (the name of the operation against Iran). Or they'll make a deal."

These moves are interpreted as an intention to exert military pressure on Iran to extract concessions amid a deadlock in diplomatic negotiations.

Gregory Brew, an Iran expert at Eurasia Group, told The Hill, "It seems quite likely that the U.S. will resume military strikes against Iran once the midterm elections are over."

He explained, "By adding the use of force to the existing (economic) pressure on Iran to make it capitulate and reach an agreement, the U.S. is trying to find a way out of the war," adding that frustration over the lack of diplomatic progress is also a backdrop for considering the attacks.

Some observers note that if the Israeli military participates, there is a strong possibility of direct attacks on civilian facilities and energy infrastructure.

Harrison Mann, a former middle management official at the Defense Intelligence Agency's (DIA) Middle East and Africa Regional Center, analyzed that the U.S. has effectively concentrated its attacks on targets in southern coastal Iran since April, and that the resumption of inland attacks could become a pathway to escalation.

It remains uncertain whether the resumption of attacks will change Iran's attitude.

This is because the Iranian leadership believes it can withstand military measures by the U.S. and Israel and holds the upper hand in negotiations.

Brew pointed out, "Iranian leaders are sending public and private signals that their response to an attack would be larger, more aggressive, and different from earlier this year."

If the U.S. and Israel attack civilian infrastructure, Iran is also expected to target artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, power plants, and oil facilities in the Gulf region.

According to The Hill, more than 50,000 U.S. troops and about 20 warships are currently deployed in the Middle East.

While two carrier strike groups are deployed in the Middle East, the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt is also moving into the Central Command area of responsibility.

The U.S. Department of Defense has dispatched three warships led by the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island, carrying 4,000 Marines and sailors, to the Middle East.

In connection with this, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) also reported on the same day that the U.S. aircraft carrier USS George Washington deployed in Middle Eastern waters is actively strengthening its weaponry, including replenishing bunker busters.

(Photo: U.S. Central Command X account, Yonhap News)