Iran fortifies nuclear sites, hints at Gulf incursions

Iran is shoring up its nuclear and border sites, rallying loyalists and warning of a wider, harsher response against the United States and its Gulf allies. The Wall Street Journal News Corp ↘ 0.54% reported on Tuesday that Tehran is getting ready for possible American strikes after the Nov. 3 midterm elections and hopes the preparations will head them off. According to people familiar with the warnings, some Iranian officials have hinted that their forces could carry out land incursions into neighboring countries.wsj+1

The report shows that both sides are preparing to fight again. More than seven months into the war, the conflict is largely deadlocked, and direct fighting has mostly been on hold since late July.tovima

Threats across the region

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said on Sunday that Tehran could target the United Arab Emirates, along with data centers and internet cables across the region. Speaking to state-owned Press TV, Rezaei said U.S. assets in the UAE and around the Strait of Hormuz had not yet been on Iran's target list. He also wrote on X that "the next mistake will bring new fronts and greater surprises," Iran International reported. Hard-line outlets, including the Kayhan newspaper, backed his threat.i24news+2

The Journal said Tehran has also warned Arab officials that it could hit Saudi oil facilities. It has told mediators it would go after U.S. personnel more aggressively, including by trying to sink American warships and kill their crews. On Tuesday, Iranian lawmaker Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani said Israel's Dimona nuclear facility could be targeted if Iran is bombed.iranintl+2

Fortifications and mobilization

According to the report, satellite images show Iran strengthening its nuclear sites and border areas. Vantor imagery analyzed by the Institute for Science and International Security shows that last month Iran built dirt mounds around its Pickaxe Mountain and Natanz nuclear sites to slow any raid by ground forces. Brig. Gen. Gholamreza Jalali, who oversees Iran's contingency plans, said airports, seaports and power plants "have prepared for wartime conditions". Billboards in Tehran advertise civilian courses in shoulder-fired antiaircraft missiles and sniper rifles, and a Revolutionary Guard unit visited a kindergarten to tell children stories about the fighting.tovima+1

"The war footing is serving them well for now due to an impasse on many fronts," said Sanam Vakil of Chatham House.tovima

US preparations

A third aircraft carrier strike group and another Marine expeditionary unit are heading to the Middle East. Last week, President Trump ruled out an attack before the midterms. He has publicly considered striking Pickaxe Mountain, and U.S. officials say the military is preparing a range of options for new strikes.i24news+1

The tensions extend to shipping and the Gulf. UK Maritime Trade Operations warnings show 12 attacks on commercial vessels in and around Hormuz between Oct. 5 and Oct. 11. On Saturday, a Houthi missile strike on Riyadh's airport killed at least 13 people.tovima+1

"In both word and deed, the Islamic Republic is actively preparing for the next war," said Behnam Ben Taleblu of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.tovima