Morning Edition · Wed 14 Oct 2026
Iran Fortifies Nuclear Sites for Possible US Strikes After the Midterms
Iran is reinforcing its nuclear sites and has warned regional officials it will retaliate across the region, as President Trump says the United States will not strike before the November 3 midterm elections.
Chanan Zevin - Chief Editor and Head of Desks
Published
Preparing for a strike
Iran is strengthening defenses at its nuclear facilities and has told regional officials it would retaliate across the region if attacked, The Wall Street Journal reported. President Trump has said there will be no US strikes before the November 3 midterms.
In Saudi Arabia, the closure of Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport was extended to Saturday, CNBC reported.
Attacks at sea
At least three vessels were hit by unknown projectiles near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, the Associated Press reported. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said Iran strikes about five “smuggling ships” a night, AP said.
Why it matters
A pause tied to the US election calendar gives Tehran weeks to harden its sites, which raises the cost of any later strike. What to watch: shipping incidents near Hormuz and any change in Washington's timeline after November 3.