Steven Sahiounie
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator
The US midterm election is now over, and the Republican party, the ruling party, has lost by a landslide. US President Donald Trump had said previously that he would wait until after the US election to make a decision to attack Iran.
Will Trump decide to attack Iran in retaliation for his massive loss of power in the US Congress? Or, could Trump re-think his options and decide to pursue a diplomatic solution with Iran?
On November 3, the day before the election, Trump ordered limited strikes on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.
American forces carried out a limited strike against an Iranian air defense facility after monitoring its construction for approximately two months.
Trump described the operation as a targeted action rather than the beginning of a wider war, claiming that the United States had destroyed the facility immediately after it became operational.
The Middle East is facing another critical moment as military tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran intensify, raising fears of a broader regional conflict with potentially devastating global consequences.
While speculation about a possible nuclear strike has fueled alarm, recent developments point to continued conventional military operations, heightened readiness, and renewed diplomatic efforts. Meanwhile, growing political pressures in Washington and Tel Aviv are adding uncertainty to an already volatile situation.
With regional powers, including Qatar, attempting to bridge the divide between Washington and Tehran, the coming days could prove decisive in determining whether the region moves toward de-escalation or another dangerous military confrontation.
Diplomatic Efforts Continue as Iran Maintains Hardline Position
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that Qatar continues to play a mediating role, conveying messages and positions between Tehran and Washington.
Baghaei stressed that regional security cannot be restored unless Iran’s demands are met, emphasizing that a comprehensive cessation of hostilities across all fronts—including Lebanon—is a fundamental condition for any agreement.
He also confirmed that exchanges of messages between Iran and the United States continue through intermediaries, as they have in the past.
He warned that Iran remains at its highest level of defensive readiness and is prepared to deliver a decisive response to any act of aggression.
Any potential agreement must address hostilities across the region, including the conflict in Lebanon, while safeguarding what Tehran describes as its legitimate interests.
US War Costs Exceed $47 Billion as Military Infrastructure Suffers Extensive Damage
The financial burden of the conflict on the United States continues to grow.
According to Pentagon data, the cost of the war has reached approximately $47.1 billion, excluding substantial additional expenses associated with repairing damaged military bases across the Middle East.
274 buildings across 24 military sites sustained damage during the first six months of the conflict, with at least 119 buildings across 13 military bases damaged during the first two weeks of the war alone.
US government officials estimate that repairing damaged bases could cost at least $5 billion, while other internal assessments place the figure as high as $15 billion. Rebuilding costs alone could exceed $4 billion, excluding damaged weapons systems, military equipment, and technological infrastructure.
Munitions Account for the Largest Share of Spending
According to Pentagon figures, replacing missiles and other weapons expended during the conflict could cost more than $29 billion.
An additional $6 billion has reportedly been attributed to lost military equipment and platforms, including aircraft and large numbers of drones.
These figures do not include the full cost of rebuilding damaged installations, suggesting that the overall financial burden could substantially exceed the publicly reported $47.1 billion.
According to the US Defense Department, 23 American service members have been killed in operations connected to the conflict since it began.
Israel Anticipates Possible Turning Point Following US Midterm Elections
Israeli media reported on November 3 that November 4 could emerge as a pivotal moment in determining the timing of a potential new offensive against Iran, following the results of the US congressional midterm elections.
Israeli military analysts believe that Israeli assessments increasingly focus not on whether another confrontation will occur, but on when it might begin.
Washington is currently pursuing three parallel diplomatic tracks with Tehran through Pakistan, Qatar, and Russia.
However, Israeli assessments reportedly view any progress in negotiations as potentially temporary, arguing that Iran could use diplomacy to gain additional time.
Israel reportedly believes that a breakdown in negotiations could ultimately provide Washington with justification for renewed military action.
Netanyahu’s Calculations and Trump’s Political Loss
Trump had allowed diplomacy additional time because of the political implications of the US midterm elections. However, the Republican loss of control over both chambers of Congress could alter the president’s calculations and potentially increase the likelihood of escalation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suffered from the October 27 parliamentary elections. He is not yet out of office, but faces a possible jail term should his opponent Gadi Eisenkot form a government with the Arab bloc. Facing the end of his political career, Netanyahu may persuade Trump to hit Iran in a major confrontation.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has reportedly raised its defensive readiness, particularly across air defense systems and the Home Front Command.
Israeli forces are also said to have prepared operational plans for immediate implementation, including a broad range of pre-identified targets assigned to the Israeli Air Force.
These preparations indicate that Israel is maintaining the capability to act rapidly should the political decision for another offensive be made.
A Critical Moment for Regional and Global Stability
The convergence of military operations, diplomatic uncertainty, rising war costs, and domestic political pressures has placed the Middle East at a particularly dangerous crossroads.
While claims of an imminent nuclear strike remain unconfirmed, the possibility of further conventional attacks and retaliatory operations is already heightening regional anxiety.
The coming days may determine whether diplomatic channels can prevent another major escalation, or whether the United States, Israel, and Iran move toward a renewed confrontation.
A wider conflict could extend across multiple fronts, from Yemen and Lebanon to the Gulf, with serious consequences for global energy supplies, international trade, and the world economy.
For now, diplomacy remains active—but military preparations and increasingly forceful rhetoric suggest that the window for preventing a broader war may be narrowing.
Steven Sahiounie is a two-time award winning journalist.
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
