US considers renewed Iran strikes as Gulf nations bolster regional defence pacts

United States President Donald Trump is considering whether to restart broad military action against Iran following midterm election defeats that handed control of both congressional chambers to the Democratic Party.

Trump met with his national security team on November 5 and stated he would make a decision soon regarding potential full-scale combat. Although public frustration with the conflict and related financial strains weakened Republicans at the ballot box, the incoming Congress will not assume power until January. That leaves the White House with broad executive authority to direct foreign policy and armed operations in the interim.

Within the administration and among foreign partners, views on how to proceed remain deeply split. Vice-President JD Vance, who connected the party's electoral setbacks to the conflict, recently sent a letter to Iranian national security official Mohsen Rezaei offering a resumption of talks if nuclear concerns are confronted immediately. Trump later characterized that message to reporters as an offer regarding medical supplies. Meanwhile, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have pushed for intensified military pressure, while envoy Steve Witkoff has supported seeking a diplomatic settlement.

Military preparations have advanced alongside these debates. US Central Command has finalized plans for potential major operations, with Commander Admiral Brad Cooper participating in White House briefings. Lawmakers have voiced deep alarm, with Democratic Senator Chris Murphy describing the military blueprints as dangerous after an October briefing, warning they could lead to a damaging, protracted escalation.

Regional mediation efforts run concurrently, led heavily by Qatar. Negotiators have tried to establish confidence-building steps to restart direct talks, though deadlines have passed without confirmed progress. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has conducted calls with officials across Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Oman, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

Substantive hurdles remain significant. Tehran is calling for an end to the American naval blockade, sanctions relief, access to frozen funds and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Washington insists on verifiable guarantees that Iran will not reconstruct its nuclear infrastructure. Past experience has fostered heavy skepticism after a June arrangement brokered by Pakistan and Qatar collapsed within weeks.

Amid the uncertainty, neighbouring Gulf countries are moving to bolster their own military readiness. In Doha, Qatari defence officials announced initiatives to create an internal defence manufacturing hub focused on anti-drone capabilities, ballistic missile protection and cybersecurity.

Security ties are also tightening through the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye, which Turkish legislators ratified on November 5. The mutual defence arrangement gained urgency following October Houthi strikes on Saudi airports in Riyadh and Abha that left three people dead and damaged commercial aircraft. Even as they prepare for defensive measures, representatives from the three nations met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran late last month in an effort to contain further conflict.