Two officials of the Islamic Republic, one of them a member of the IRGC, confirmed that the regime's target list will expand to US diplomats and staff if the war resumes. Speaking to The New York Times, they attributed the decision to the killing of Islamic Republic officials and some of their family members in US and Israeli strikes. This is the first time the regime's own officials have voiced what US intelligence had warned about regarding plots to assassinate US officials.
The officials also openly threatened that in a new war, civilian infrastructure, energy facilities and undersea internet and communications cables would be targeted. Mehdi Mohammadi, a senior adviser to Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, described the coming phase as a battle for the Islamic Republic's survival and an asymmetric war against the other side's strengths and weaknesses.
What US officials say
According to US officials, some of these plots have moved from intent towards execution and have targeted US ambassadors in the Middle East and officials on US soil. One US official said there is evidence of IRGC-linked operatives inside the United States, although their operational capability is unclear. Western officials stress that intent does not mean capability and that the Islamic Republic sometimes exaggerates its capacity for covert operations.
The warnings escalated after a suspected plot against RAF Fairford in southern England, which hosts US forces and B-1 bombers. Twelve B-1 bombers left the base, and Islamic Republic officials have warned that they would see their return as a sign of an imminent attack.
Strike options after the midterm elections
According to The Hill, citing two sources, US Central Command has prepared options for a new strike on the Islamic Republic for after the 3 November midterm elections, and carrying them out depends on a White House decision. Donald Trump said on Saturday, 24 October, that he might strike or reach a big deal, adding that he doubts the Islamic Republic would stick to any agreement. DIAR had earlier reported on Donald Trump's inclination to resume strikes.
Islamic Republic officials themselves confirmed that US diplomats are being added to the regime's target list.
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