Trump Weighs Pre-Midterm Iran Strike

Reports say the Pentagon prepared options as Trump eyed a strike before the midterms.

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Updated Oct 7, 8:59pm ET

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What happened

The White House asked the Pentagon to develop options for strikes on Iranian targets before the November 3 midterm elections. No decision has been made on whether to carry out an attack. The United States and Iran have been in conflict for months, though U.S. forces have not struck Iran in several weeks. The planning comes as Republicans face pressure over the unpopular conflict and its effect on fuel prices. Administration officials said President Donald Trump wants to show progress toward ending the conflict and lowering gas prices before voters vote. A White House official said all options remain available. Possible targets and scale remain under discussion.

How each side covered it

From the left

Left-leaning outlets framed the planning as a political effort to rescue Republicans, not a clear path to ending the war. Rolling Stone cast the conflict as a damaging Trump failure that hurt the economy and left him angry over not ending it. Raw Story emphasized supporters’ own doubts that another limited strike would solve core problems before the election.

From the right

Right-leaning outlets framed the planning as a test of strength, while stressing Trump’s room to choose force or another route. Daily Mail highlighted the administration’s view that Iran was weakened and that an American victory was near. ZeroHedge warned renewed bombing could work against Trump’s goal by pushing oil prices higher.

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