Trump says no attack on Iran before midterms, but no real breakthrough in US-Iran talks
BlockBeats news, October 22: U.S. President Trump stated that there will be no bombing of Iran before the midterm elections, but the U.S. is evacuating some non-emergency personnel from Saudi Arabia, reducing troops at some Middle East bases, and deploying additional aircraft carriers and amphibious forces; the Israeli military reportedly dispatched dozens of fighter jets this week that approached the Iranian border before turning back, and its target list is also being updated.
The U.S. State Department has ordered the evacuation of non-emergency government employees and family members within Saudi Arabia only, citing attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces on civilian targets in Saudi Arabia. Separately, reports indicate that the U.S. military has quietly reduced troops in Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, and other locations in recent days; The Wall Street Journal reports that the U.S. is deploying another aircraft carrier to the Middle East, with a third carrier strike group approaching from the Pacific direction, and is also deploying an amphibious assault ship carrying Marines. If the additional forces arrive and existing vessels are not rotated out, the total number of U.S. military vessels in the region is expected to exceed 24 (currently about 20).
On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is reportedly continuing to advocate resuming large-scale strikes on Iran, and the U.S. even suspects that Israel is deliberately trying to provoke Iran into firing. Israel's Channel 12, citing U.S. sources, reported that earlier this week dozens of Israeli military fighter jets and refueling aircraft flew over Syria and Iraq toward the Iranian border, with flight routes highly similar to those for an attack on Iran, before turning back prior to entering Iranian airspace; Israel described it as an exercise and deterrence. Meanwhile, Pakistan, Qatar, and others are stepping up mediation, but the U.S. demands talks on the nuclear program while Iran wants to first discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and negotiations remain without a breakthrough.
