Iran regional confrontation

ARK News, citing Axios, reports the Pentagon told CENTCOM to complete preparations for resuming large-scale operations in Iran

DEVELOPMENT
Location
United States
Actors
United States · Iran
Importance
Notable

ARK News reported on 8 October 2026 that US officials said the Pentagon instructed US Central Command several days ago to complete preparations for resuming large-scale combat operations in Iran. According to the report, the instructions carried no timeline for launching strikes, President Trump had not taken a final decision, and US and Israeli sources indicated the move could come before the US midterm elections and possibly before the Israeli elections, which are scheduled a week earlier. The sources said that if major operations resume, they are expected to include intensive airstrikes on Iranian targets linked to the energy sector, infrastructure and the nuclear programme. A Pentagon official told Axios that the department's mission is to prepare and present military options to the president, and a White House official said all options remain available to the president at any time.

Verification: unverified

Evidence: Pentagon Instructs CENTCOM to Prepare to Resume Military Operations Against Iran

The article attributes the account to Axios and to unnamed US and Israeli sources. The Axios reporting itself was not read, so this record states what the article says and does not treat the order as independently confirmed.