🌍 IRAN EXPANDS REGIONAL ATTACKS AS U.S. PRESSURE CONTINUES: Jordan’s military said Iran launched 13 missiles toward the kingdom, with 10 intercepted and three falling away from populated areas. The IRGC also claimed attacks targeting U.S. military facilities in Jordan, Bahrain, Iraq’s Erbil region and Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem Air Base, and said seven IRGC members, including three Basij personnel, were killed in overnight U.S. strikes. Separately, the IRGC claimed two oil tankers attempting to pass through an unauthorized route near the Strait of Hormuz were struck by mines and set on fire.
🇺🇸 TRUMP SIGNALS PRESSURE OVER NEGOTIATIONS: Trump said renewed negotiations with Iran are not his immediate objective, writing: “I’m not trying to force Iran to the bargaining table... I couldn’t care less if they sign a worthless, to them, agreement.” He said he favors the current U.S. position of near-total control over the Strait of Hormuz and severe economic pressure on Tehran, and asked when Iranians would “rise up and fight.”
⚓ U.S. STRIKES EXPAND TO IRANIAN TANKERS AND HORMUZ CAPABILITIES: Axios reported that Trump personally approved a “tanker for tanker” policy under which U.S. forces struck two Iranian government tankers during Tuesday’s operation. U.S. officials said it was the first time Iranian tankers were specifically targeted in retaliation for attacks on shipping rather than simply for violating the blockade. Around 100 Iranian targets were struck during the wave, according to the officials. Trump later said the strikes were retaliation for Iran’s attack on the U.S. base in Jordan and that newly rebuilt Iranian radar, missile and mine-laying capabilities around Hormuz were also destroyed. He said he did not expect the renewed campaign to last “too long,” while adding that the U.S. was prepared to strike again. He did not separately address the UAE attack in those remarks.
🗳️ WHITE HOUSE REPORTEDLY SEEKS TO LIMIT PRE-MIDTERM ESCALATION: Reuters, citing four people familiar with administration discussions, including three White House officials, reported that senior officials are seeking to prevent the conflict from expanding substantially before the November 3 midterm elections. Sanctions, the naval blockade and broader economic pressure are currently preferred over another major air campaign, although heavier military action could be reconsidered afterward. No decision has been made on a return to full-scale strikes.
🔥 NETANYAHU THREATENS FURTHER ACTION AGAINST IRAN: Netanyahu said Israel “can attack Iran at any moment” and declared that Israel’s systems were acting under his direction to bring down the Iranian regime. He warned that another Iranian attack on Israel could be “one of the last decisions they ever make.” Trump separately told the Israeli Broadcasting Authority that Israel “should not be concerned about a renewed war with Iran.”
🤝 ISRAEL-SYRIA SECURITY AGREEMENT EFFORTS FAIL: A senior Israeli official said efforts to reach a security agreement with Syria have failed, partly over disagreements regarding an Israeli withdrawal from the buffer zone. According to Walla, communication between the sides nevertheless remains open.
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