Oil has been falling this week but there’s a fair argument that Trump could be attempting to send false signals in order to lower oil prices ahead of the vote.
Behind the scenes, the US military has been angling to be in a position to attack immediately after the midterms. The New York Times cites US officials who say the US military could resume major combat operations against Iran as early as Wednesday.
There are two reasons they US could launch the type of short and intense campaign Trump has teased. The first is that there are currently three US aircraft carriers in the region but one must return home in early November.
USS George H.W. Bush— Already operating in the region.
USS George Washington — Redeployed from the Pacific to the Middle East.
USS Theodore Roosevelt — Deployed from San Diego in late September to reinforce U.S. forces.
The USS George Washington is likely the one that needs to leave, returning ot its normal operating area near Japan.
Secondly, early November is also a period of moonless nights and that’s the darkness the US military generally prefers for its attacks, the report says.
The NYT writes:
U.S. Central Command has a plan to strike Iran beginning as early as Wednesday, after the U.S. midterm elections and when three aircraft carriers are in the region, according to U.S. officials.The ideal conditions for the type of campaign the military has laid out will last only a short time. After early November, one of the aircraft carriers will need to return to its home port. Early November is also a period of moonless nights, the kind of deep darkness the U.S. military likes to use for its attacks.
In any case, Wednesday should be a volatile day.
This article was written by Adam Button at investinglive.com.