The US administration has notified a number of Arab Gulf states to prepare for a possible military campaign against Iran that could begin after the US midterm congressional elections, the website infohub.kz reports, citing the authoritative publication The Wall Street Journal.

According to the newspaper, the move would mark a "short-term but intense" resumption of the conflict. "Sources familiar with the talks say the US has notified a number of Arab Gulf countries that they need to prepare for a short-term but intense military campaign that could begin after the US midterms. These contacts, conducted through diplomatic and military channels, are just one of several signs that the US and Israel are preparing for a new phase of large-scale hostilities against Iran. By risking a serious escalation, they hope to weaken Tehran's position and force it to the negotiating table," the publication says.

According to flight-tracking data and two informed officials, the US military is deploying an additional Patriot air-defense system to Israel from Texas to bolster Israeli missile defense. In addition, the US has withdrawn its troops from those bases in the Middle East where they were most vulnerable in the event of an escalation.

According to officials, US forces in the region are replenishing ammunition stocks, while bombers and fighter jets are preparing to carry out strikes. In addition, next month another carrier strike group and a Marine expeditionary unit are due to join the roughly 20 warships already in the Middle East.

"According to people familiar with President Trump's thinking, he has not yet made a final decision but is leaning toward a large-scale operation after the elections — a strike that could target Iranian infrastructure and nuclear facilities," the newspaper writes.

A deal could be an alternative. Diplomatic efforts by regional mediators are continuing but have so far produced no results. The White House told the publication it would not comment on "sensitive military plans that may or may not exist."

"President Trump is keeping all options on the table to ensure that Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon," the White House stressed.