Gulf nations brace for possible return to all-out war between US and Iran

Summary

Gulf nations are bracing for a possible return to all-out war between the United States and Iran. Volatility around the Israeli and US midterm elections is fueling fears of renewed US-Israeli strikes on Iran in a short and intensive military campaign meant to push Tehran into concessions, and Iran has vowed a devastating response against the Gulf nations. DW reports that Iranian officials say Tehran's goal is to keep the regime in power and to threaten enough regional costs to make a prolonged campaign unattractive, and that US media reports indicate Trump is considering strikes after the midterms.

Timeline

1. Euronews

   22 Oct 2026, 12:58 UTCSource ↗

   Euronews reports that Gulf nations are bracing for a possible return to all-out war between the US and Iran, as volatility around the Israeli and US midterm elections fuels fears of renewed US-Israeli strikes on Iran, and Iran has vowed a devastating response against the Gulf nations.

2. DW

   22 Oct 2026, 14:16 UTCSource ↗

   DW reports that Iranian officials say the goal is to keep the regime in power and threaten enough regional costs to make a prolonged campaign unattractive, and that US media reports indicate Trump is considering strikes after the midterm elections.