On October 23, 2026, the Wall Street Journal reported that Iran warned it will strike U.S. warships, military bases and Gulf civilian infrastructure if the U.S. and Israel resume strikes after the midterms. The reporting said Iran is also preparing to target undersea cables crossing the Strait of Hormuz, special forces operations in countries such as Kuwait, and attacks outside the region. Oil climbed to a five-month high on the escalation fears. U.S. officials now say the intelligence indicates Iran may have operatives inside the United States. The warning remains a threat tied to a resumption of strikes, and no attack has been reported.