Iranians fear escalation as US and Israeli elections loom

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 25 Oct, 17:02 · Archive

Iranians are bracing for intensified conflict as elections approach in Israel and the United States.

Many Iranians are bracing for a return to all-out war as elections in Israel and the United States heighten uncertainty. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing a close vote on Tuesday, says Iran's leadership must be eliminated. US President Donald Trump vows to 'finish the job' in Iran eight months after the war began, with a third aircraft carrier and thousands of troops making their way to the region. Some fear attacks could occur just after the US midterms on 3 November.

Tehran residents described growing anxiety, with some preparing to leave the capital. Fereshteh Hajipour, 35, a mother of a toddler, said she was stockpiling over-the-counter medicines and food for fear of a 'possible war and bigger bombs'. Iran's president has accused the US of disrupting negotiations that have shown little sign of progress for months.

Iran's leadership believes Trump will likely order new strikes regardless of the election results, according to Sasan Karimi, a former government official and foreign policy professor at the University of Tehran. Iran has threatened US military bases and allies in the Middle East, and warned it could attack new targets, including undersea data cables in the Strait of Hormuz. This month saw the highest number of reported attacks on commercial ships transiting the strait since the war's opening weeks in March.

How it is being reported

• Iranians fear return to war amid US, Israeli electionsMany Iranians are bracing for a return to all-out war as elections in Israel and the United States heighten uncertainty.The West Australian · 25 Oct, 16:26
• Iranians fear return to war amid US, Israeli electionsMany Iranians are bracing for a return to all-out war as elections in Israel and the United States heighten uncertainty.Perth Now · 25 Oct, 16:25

In this story: Iran · United States · Israel · Benjamin Netanyahu · Donald Trump · Strait of Hormuz

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