The US military is flying an additional Patriot missile defense battery from Texas to Israel to bolster the country’s air defenses ahead of a potential escalation with Iran, Wall Street Journal reporter Shelby Holliday reported, citing flight tracking data and two officials familiar with the movement. The deployment comes as Washington warns several Gulf Arab governments through diplomatic and military channels to prepare for a short, intense military campaign against Iran after the November 3 US midterm elections, driving Brent crude up 1.3% to top $115 a barrel.
President Donald Trump has not made a final decision as diplomatic talks continue, though he is leaning toward a large post-election strike on Iranian nuclear sites and infrastructure and warned this week that the US could launch “another little Epic Fury” if Tehran does not agree to terms. Alongside the Patriot deployment, the US has pulled troops from vulnerable bases in the Middle East, replenished munitions, readied bombers and fighter jets, and scheduled a third carrier strike group and a Marine expeditionary unit to join roughly 20 American warships in the region next month. Two US officials also told CNN that forces in the theater are prepared to execute major strikes within 96 hours of a presidential order.