The Pentagon has ordered US Central Command to finish preparations for a possible resumption of major combat operations against Iran. US officials told Axios the directive came several days ago, but no attack date was set.

President Trump has not made a final decision. His national security team met at Camp David on Friday to discuss the war. Possible targets include Iranian energy, infrastructure, and nuclear sites, according to the reports.

At the same time, Trump said the United States will not attack Iran before the November 3 midterm elections. Crude oil prices eased to about 103 dollars a barrel after his statement, after briefly crossing 105 dollars on war fears.

The conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran has been running since February 28. Negotiations have made no progress, and Qatari mediators are still waiting for an Iranian response to a US proposal demanding nuclear concessions.

The timing matters for both countries. Israel holds elections on October 27, a week before the US midterms. The next move now rests with the White House.