
The Pentagon instructed US Central Command a few days ago to complete preparations for the resumption of major combat operations in Iran, American media outlet Axios reported.
The directive did not include a specific date for the launch of the attacks, and President Trump has not made any final decision.
But American and Israeli sources say this could happen before the US midterm elections and possibly the Israeli elections.
If major combat operations resume, they are expected to include massive bombing of Iranian energy, infrastructure and nuclear targets, sources tell Axios.
The resumption of the war in the next three to four weeks could affect the midterm elections, in part because oil prices could rise.
"The Department's job is to develop and present military options to the president," a Pentagon official told Axios.
A White House official said Trump has all options available at all times.
Last Friday, Trump's national security team met at Camp David for several hours to discuss the war and other issues.
An Israeli official told Axios that part of the meeting focused on a possible resumption of major combat operations in Iran.
Negotiations between the US and Iran have made no progress. Qatari mediators are still waiting for an Iranian response to a US counterproposal that included demands for nuclear concessions.
If major combat operations resume, they will most likely be with the US and Israel working together and with the participation of the Israeli military. The resumption of the war could also affect Israeli elections, as Iran is likely to fire hundreds of ballistic missiles at the country in retaliation.
A new escalation - or even a heightened state of tension or emergency - could benefit Netanyahu politically and prevent his opponents from attacking him in the final stages of the campaign.