U.S. military ordered to prepare for possible Iran strikes ahead of elections

The Pentagon instructed U.S. Central Command several days ago to complete preparations for resuming major combat operations in Iran, news website Axios reported Wednesday, citing U.S. officials.



U.S. and Israeli sources said the strikes could take place before the U.S. midterm elections, which will be held on Nov. 3, and possibly before the Israeli elections a week earlier, the report said.



Potential combat operations include massive bombing campaigns targeting Iranian energy, infrastructure and nuclear facilities, according to the sources.



Less than a month before the U.S. midterms, affordability is the biggest issue for voters, who are blaming Republicans, the party in power.



The war in Iran has caused gas prices to surge, driving up costs across industries including shipping, trucking, air travel and food.



A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday showed that U.S. President Donald Trump's approval rating remained at a record low of 32 percent, unchanged from a September poll that marked the lowest rating of his political career.