WSJ: Trump's Iran Strategy May Involve One More Big Hit

We may be in the midst of the calm before the storm. The Wall Street Journal's sources say Washington is quietly telling Gulf allies to brace for what could be a fast but ferocious new clash with Iran, with Israel's help, once the US midterms are over. They say President Trump hasn't conclusively decided to go ahead but is inclined to move forward with a post-election hit on Iran's infrastructure and nuclear sites in hopes of "pushing it toward negotiations." The Journal flags "a growing number of indications" to that end: another Patriot system that is en route to Israel from Texas, and the movement of some troops out of more vulnerable Middle East bases. Two key points of context from the report, which builds off of similar recent reports:

• "Many analysts believe Iran isn't likely to capitulate under further attacks. Iran weathered more than 20,000 strikes by the US and Israel during the most active phase of the war. It nevertheless has continued to attack ships in the Persian Gulf, target US troops and warships, and bring tough demands to the negotiating table."
• "Trump could use a fresh round of strikes to declare victory and then reduce America's involvement in the war, even if those strikes don't deliver a decisive blow, said Seth Jones, a defense and security analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies."