Trump weighs new strikes on Iran as November 9 moon phase draws attention

President Donald Trump held two consecutive meetings with his White House national security team on November 4 and 5 to evaluate options regarding Iran, according to Fox News reporting cited by Politis and Sigmalive. The discussions came after the Democratic Party won control of both chambers of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections.

Options on the table include resuming large-scale military strikes, maintaining economic and military pressure through a naval blockade, and pursuing a diplomatic agreement that could prevent a new round of conflict. CENTCOM has already prepared military operation plans that could have been implemented even during the election period.

“I would prefer not to destroy the rest of the country, but maybe it needs to be done.”

Thousands of American troops remain in waters around Iran as part of the naval blockade operations. US officials told Trump that the new moon on November 9 over the Middle East would mean minimal or nearly no moonlight during the night, conditions considered favorable for air military operations because darkness can provide greater cover for participating forces.

No final decision has been announced by the White House so far. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that Washington will decide on the next step, leaving open the possibility of further military action to ensure Iran's nuclear program cannot be reconstituted.

Trump said he would prefer not to destroy the rest of the country, but that it might be necessary. The reports do not indicate when a decision might be made or what specific targets could be involved.