US sends more forces to Israel, region amid new attempts to revive Iran talks ahead of midterms

The United States sent 10 transport aircraft to Air Force bases in southern Israel amid a larger move to reinforce troops in the Middle East, Kan News reported on Thursday.

The report came amid ongoing efforts to revive the talks with the Iranian regime along with parallel preparations for potential new strikes, following multiple reports that the U.S. and Israel came close to launching new attacks against Iran several times in recent weeks.

According to Kan, the 10 U.S. Air Force transport aircraft were part of a larger transfer of military equipment from Texas' Fort Bliss base to bases in Jordan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that the U.S. warned Gulf states of the possibility of renewed military operations following the midterm elections next week, adding that the U.S. would send an additional Patriot missile system from Texas to Israel.

An Israeli source told Kan that the U.S. and Israeli militaries remain in close coordination regarding a potential escalation: “Although a decision has not yet been made on the matter, the Americans and Israel are preparing for any decision that [US] President [Donald] Trump makes.”

The WSJ reported that the Pentagon has been stepping up preparations for possible new strikes, sending additional air defenses, munitions and supplies, while moving troops from bases considered vulnerable to Iranian retaliation.

On Tuesday, two U.S. officials told Fox News that the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit were dispatched to the Middle East as well.

U.S. President Donald Trump had been briefed on military options concerning Iran by U.S. CENTCOM Chief Adm. Brad Cooper, alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, the WSJ reported.

On Wednesday, U.S. Vice President JD Vance met with the military officers after reportedly sending a letter to Mohsen Rezaei, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Rezaei is considered one of the most veteran and hawkish figures in the new regime.

The letter reportedly proposed a personal meeting between the two leaders. The Washington Post reported that U.S. officials believe Rezaei “understands the dire situation” and could be the best hope for reaching an understanding. The letter “focused on emphasizing the central place of national interests – both those of the United States and those of Iran – within the framework of the negotiations,” according to an American official.

Trump told reporters on Wednesday that he had approved Vance’s approach. “They need help with medical supplies and various things,” he said. “He asked me what I thought. I said, ‘If you want to do that, that’s ok.’”

However, Trump has repeatedly said in recent weeks that he expects a return to conflict with the regime. “They’ve wanted to make a deal, but they like tapping it along. Maybe they’re waiting for the election or something – but that’s not gonna help them,” Trump told reporters on Tuesday night.

Qatari mediators have reportedly been in regular contact with Rezaei and other senior regime officials.

On Friday, mediators returned to Tehran to advance the talks in a move coordinated with the U.S., Reuters reported. However, Iranian officials reportedly dismissed the latest Qatari peace plan proposal last week.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claimed on 𝕏 this week, “While our Brave Armed Forces are fully prepared to defend the Homeland, Iran continues to give diplomacy a chance to succeed.”