US officials: CENTCOM preparing to strike Iran

U.S. officials said the Pentagon's Central Command (CENTCOM) has prepared a plan to strike Iran beginning Wednesday, the day after the U.S. midterm elections, according to reports citing the officials. The timing would place any military action immediately after the vote, with CENTCOM—which oversees U.S. operations across the Middle East—ready to move once political conditions allow. The plan signals that Washington is keeping military options against Tehran on the table despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. Markets will watch whether the strikes proceed as scheduled and how Iran responds, with attention on oil prices and regional risk sentiment.