Trump May Strike Iran’s Nuclear Sites Again as Tehran Engages in ‘Cognitive Warfare’

Mixed signals after midterms

Since Tuesday’s midterms, Trump has moved between warning Iran and suggesting the war may soon be resolved. He said the conflict had partly contributed to the Republican defeat at the midterms.

“We’re dealing with them now. They want to make a deal,” Trump told reporters, without giving details. Observers say Iran’s position on US demands to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, alongside Trump’s midterm setback, has left him facing a difficult choice.

Strikes reported on Qeshm

Trump said US forces carried out “minor strikes” on Iranian air defence systems Friday. He confirmed strikes on Qeshm Island, while Iran’s official news agency, IRNA, reported two missiles hit the Suza area.

The reported attacks follow US-described “defensive strikes” earlier in the week on the island, which is considered a major Iranian naval base and is home to what the article calls “missile cities”. The US says it is targeting missile launch systems; an unnamed US official told AP the strikes aimed to stop Iran using surface-to-air missiles against US assets. After reports of explosions on Qeshm, US Central Command said the situation was “relatively calm”.

Concerns over nuclear facilities

The Times reported that Iran is distributing iodine tablets to communities near nuclear facilities. It quoted a Ministry of Health official as saying, “Trump can no longer be trusted. He may go through with this crime.” Separately, the US State Department’s Rewards for Justice programme announced Friday a reward of up to $20m, and possible relocation, for information about Iran’s nuclear programme, including facilities, equipment and personnel.

Threats and possible negotiations

Axios quoted a US official saying CENTCOM was preparing for major military operations to resume in Iran, pending orders from Washington. Iran has threatened to widen its response beyond the Gulf.