Iran's military is reportedly consolidating its internal unity and rallying hardliners in preparation for a potential resumption of conflict, as the U.S. is expected to resume airstrikes following the midterm elections, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal on October 13.
The newspaper analyzed satellite imagery indicating increased military preparations at nuclear facilities and border areas. Additionally, the Iranian government has dispatched quasi-military organizations to share war stories with kindergarteners and is promoting training for portable surface-to-air missiles, encouraging the public to prepare for war.
Iranian officials have stated in various meetings that they would respond more aggressively across the Middle East if the U.S. resumes its attacks. The report also suggested that the Iranian military might consider a ground invasion of neighboring countries to preemptively deter potential attacks. Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, indicated on October 11 that the Iranian military could target data centers or internet networks in the United Arab Emirates, which has largely remained unscathed from attacks.
The report noted, "Iran lacks the capability to counter U.S. advanced fighter jets, bombers, and cruise missiles, so it seeks to deter such attacks through threats." It also suggested that this aggressive rhetoric serves to distract the Iranian public from economic hardships caused by intensified U.S. sanctions, which have led to airlines ceasing operations to Iran. Sanam Vakil, director for the Middle East at Chatham House, stated, "They (Iran) are in a diplomatic, economic, and political stalemate, and maintaining a war footing is preferable. Engaging in a new conflict could provide the Islamic Republic of Iran a way out of the corner it has painted itself into."
Iran's potential attacks are not limited to the Middle East. A notable example occurred on September 27, when an attempted bombing was thwarted near a military base in Fairford, southwest England. On October 13, Ken McCallum, director of the UK Security Service (MI5), emphasized in his annual speech that there has been a significant shift in Iran's strategy, indicating that Iran aims to target more challenging objectives, such as military facilities. McCallum also revealed that British authorities have arrested 50 suspects involved in Iran-related operations over the past year.
Al Jazeera pointed out that McCallum's warning came shortly after UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated that Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was almost certainly behind the recent bombing plot at the military base. Five suspects in their twenties were apprehended near the base, where U.S. bombers are stationed, during the early hours. All arrested suspects were later released on bail. Subsequently, the U.S. withdrew B-1 and B-52 bombers from the base on October 4.
The relationship between the U.S. and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen is also at a critical juncture. On October 13, President Donald Trump posted on social media platform Truth Social, stating, "The Houthi rebels are behaving very badly," and expressed his belief that they had learned lessons from the devastation caused by U.S. airstrikes a year ago. He accused the Houthis of acting on Iran's orders, attacking Saudi Arabia, and deliberately raising oil prices ahead of the U.S. midterm elections. However, Trump did not specify whether he would join the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis, according to Al Jazeera.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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