Unofficial Warning to Regional Countries | How Is Iran Preparing for Another War?

Iran is preparing for a possible resumption of war with the United States by strengthening fortifications around nuclear facilities, rebuilding its missile and drone arsenal and raising general readiness. At the same time, Tehran is seeking to deter Washington from new strikes by threatening to widen the conflict across the Middle East and target the region's critical infrastructure.

Political group: Iran is strengthening its defense fortifications, mobilizing forces loyal to the regime and threatening a wider and more severe reaction against America and its allies in the Persian Gulf; Actions that take place at the same time as Tehran prepares for possible US attacks after the mid-term elections and attempts to prevent Washington from carrying out these attacks.

The Wall Street Journal, in a report quoting its knowledgeable sources, claims that Iranian officials have warned in public statements and private conversations with regional officials that if America launches new attacks, the Islamic Republic will further expand the scope of conflicts throughout the Middle East.

According to this report, satellite images show that Iran is strengthening its sensitive positions, including nuclear facilities and border areas, so that these points are more resistant to attacks. The government is also preparing the Iranians to resume the war; By sending paramilitary troops to read war stories to kindergarten children, promoting anti-aircraft missile training courses, and holding mass rallies.

Iran has a limited ability to defend against attacks by advanced American fighters, high-altitude bombers or cruise missiles; An issue that increases the motivation of this country to try to stop America from attacking through threats. Tehran's aggressive tone also diverts attention from the worsening economic conditions of Iranians; The situation that has worsened following the tightening of US sanctions and pressure on airlines to refrain from flying to Iran, and as a result of the tightening of the blockade of this country.

Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East program at London's Chatham House think tank, said: "Being in a state of war in the current situation has benefited them; Because a deadlock has been created on many diplomatic, economic and political fronts. "With the occurrence of a new war, the Islamic Republic can find a way out of the deadlock in which it is caught."

Iran's threat to expand the war in the Persian Gulf

According to people who are aware of the warnings, some Iranian officials have hinted that Iranian forces may invade the territory of neighboring countries in an effort to prevent America from a possible attack. Mohsen Rezaei, Iran's senior national security official, said on Sunday that Tehran may target the United Arab Emirates; A country that has largely escaped attacks since late spring. He also mentioned data centers and internet cables across the region.

According to some of these people, Tehran has separately warned the authorities of the Arab countries that it may attack targets in the region, including Saudi Arabia's oil facilities, if the conflicts resume. Such an action will intensify the threat that Saudi Arabia faces from the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen; The Houthis attacked the international airport of the Saudi capital last weekend.

The US military is also preparing for the possibility of renewed conflicts. The Wall Street Journal reported that the third aircraft carrier task force and another Marine Expeditionary Force unit are on their way to the Middle East. Also, the Pentagon is considering sending more air defense equipment and ammunition to bases in the region.

Last week, US President Donald Trump ruled out an attack on Iran before the mid-term elections on November 3; However, he has publicly raised the possibility of attacking Iran's Koh Kalang nuclear site. US officials have also said that the military is preparing a range of options for new attacks.

Efforts by both sides to strengthen their combat capabilities show that, more than seven months into the war, neither side feels compelled to give up on a conflict that has largely stalled.

Instead, both sides try to break the deadlock to their advantage. America has intensified its campaign of economic pressure and is increasingly successfully allowing oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Increasing sea attacks and threats to economic infrastructure

Iran has increased its attacks on ships in the Persian Gulf region. According to the British Maritime Trade Operations Organization, an institution affiliated with the Royal Navy of this country, at least three commercial ships were attacked last weekend in and around the Strait of Hormuz. On Sunday, a drone attack near Oman caused a fire on the Emirati oil tanker "Petro Dolphin" and as a result, two Indian sailors went missing.

The Houthi militia's missile attack on Riyadh airport on Saturday left at least 13 dead and hundreds injured. This attack was the deadliest single attack against the US or its allies in the Persian Gulf during the conflicts related to the Iran war.

These attacks highlighted the vulnerability of important economic targets in the region; Targets that may be attacked if Trump decides to resume the war.

According to some people familiar with the warnings, the Iranian government has also told mediators that it plans to target American forces more aggressively; including by trying to sink American warships in the Middle East and kill their crews.

During the attacks in September, Iranian missiles reached the US warships. Last week, the Pentagon moved 12 B-1 bombers from a military base in Britain; The action was related to concerns about the planning of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for a drone attack.

Direct conflict between the U.S. and Iran has been largely on hold since late July, when Trump halted plans for a major escalation, according to the Wall Street Journal. One of the reasons for this decision was concern about the stockpile of interceptor missiles needed to defend various targets throughout the region.

Rebuilding missile power and strengthening the protection of nuclear facilities

Iran has used the break to rebuild its missile and drone production facilities and renew its weapons stockpile.

Iran has also strengthened the protection around nuclear facilities and other shelters related to the security field. According to Ventur satellite images analyzed by the Institute for Science and International Security, a Washington-based non-profit organization, last month Iran took passive defense measures, including the creation of temporary earthworks around the Koh Klang nuclear site and the Natanz facility, to make any attempt by ground forces to infiltrate and attack more difficult.

"The Islamic Republic is actively preparing for the next war, both in word and in action," said Behnam Bentaleblou, senior director of the Iran program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington-based think tank. From this point of view, the actions of the government have both a deterrent function and are part of planning for war.