Iran's Army Says Fresh US Strikes Would Widen the War

Iran's army has warned that any new US attack would cause the war to spread beyond its current bounds, Arab News reports. The statement came on Saturday, October 31, 2026, amid rising expectations of renewed American military action.

Al Jazeera, in its live coverage of the conflict, reported that Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a similar warning, saying war would "engulf a much wider area" if the United States attacks. Both Iranian military bodies framed the message as a deterrent rather than an announcement of action.

The warnings follow reporting that Washington has been briefing its Gulf partners on the possibility of fresh strikes. The Wall Street Journal reported that US officials told Gulf states to prepare for a short but intense resumption of the Iran war after the midterm elections. The Times of Israel, citing a report, said the strikes could come as early as November 4, the day after the vote.

Speculation about the timing has been tied to US domestic politics. The Express Tribune, citing Axios, reported that President Donald Trump may order a major strike on Iran if Republicans fare badly in the midterms.

The details of any planned operation have not been made public, and the reports of US warnings to Gulf capitals have not been confirmed by officials in those countries.

What to watch next: whether Washington confirms or denies the reported warnings to Gulf allies, and whether Iran's rhetoric is followed by any military movement before November 4.