The White House has asked the Pentagon to draw up military strike options against Iran that could be carried out before the midterm elections, according to The Atlantic. The report signals a sharp escalation after eight months of war.

Axios reported separately that US Central Command has been ordered to be ready to resume major combat operations against Iran. NBC News said President Donald Trump and his national security team discussed resuming large-scale operations in the coming weeks.

The Atlantic stressed that Trump has not made a final decision. A key meeting is planned for Friday at Camp David, bringing together Vice President JD Vance, Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth and other senior officials.

Markets are already reacting. Brent crude jumped about two percent to $102.15. Gulf producers also shut in around 510,000 barrels a day of oil production as Hurricane Isaias crossed the region.

The US has expanded its Middle East force to roughly 30,000 troops and moved the USS George W. Bush carrier group toward the Gulf. The war began in February, when the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran.