Iran is reportedly reinforcing nuclear facilities and border defenses while preparing civilians for possible renewed conflict with the U.S. after the midterms.
Satellite imagery showed that Iran is strengthening sensitive locations, including nuclear sites as well as border areas, the Wall Street Journal reported. The defensive work is designed to make those facilities more resistant to potential attacks by the U.S. and its Gulf allies.
Tehran is also mobilizing public support for a possible return to fighting. Authorities have organized rallies, promoted training involving shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles and dispatched paramilitary personnel to read wartime stories to kindergarten children, the report noted.
Iranian officials have warned publicly and privately that the Islamic Republic would broaden its response across the region if Washington launched new strikes. Land incursions into neighboring countries remain possible, according to the report.
Tehran has also warned Arab officials that regional targets, including Saudi oil facilities, could face attacks if hostilities resume, the report noted.
Iran Warns of Threats to Tech Infrastructure
The latest preparations follow a statement from President Donald Trump, earlier this month, saying that the U.S. would not attack Iran before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Trump said discussions with Tehran remained ongoing and productive.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Security Chief Mohsen Rezaei said on Sunday that the U.S. had accepted some of Tehran’s seven conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz but called Washington’s response “inadequate,” warning that relations would not return to the previous status quo.
That pause, however, has not eliminated broader escalation risks. Rezaei warned that renewed intense fighting could endanger critical technology infrastructure, including undersea cables, data centers and artificial intelligence (AI) facilities.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Image via Shutterstock
