US military ordered to prepare for possible Iran strikes ahead of midterm elections, Axios reports

The Pentagon instructed US Central Command several days ago to complete preparations for resuming major combat operations in Iran, news website Axios reported on Wednesday, citing US officials.

US and Israeli sources said the strikes could take place before the US midterm elections, which will be held on November 3, and possibly before the Israeli elections a week earlier, the report said.

Potential combat operations include massive bombing campaigns targeting Iranian energy, infrastructure and nuclear facilities, according to the sources.

Less than a month before the US midterms, affordability is the biggest issue for voters, who are blaming Republicans, the party in power. The war in Iran has caused gas prices to surge, driving up costs across industries including shipping, trucking, air travel and food.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday showed that US President Donald Trump's approval rating remained at a record low of 32%, unchanged from a September poll that marked the lowest rating of his political career.

Cost of living is the top issue on Americans' minds as they decide how to vote next month, the Reuters/Ipsos poll found.