Hegseth Sends Third Carrier as US and Israel Weigh Iran Strike After Election

The United States is moving a third aircraft carrier into the Middle East as a person briefed on American and Israeli war planning said the two countries are preparing for a possible attack on Iran after the midterm elections. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, said his country is ready for diplomacy or war. Tehran is demanding formal control of the Strait of Hormuz and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the region.

NPR's Greg Myre said the preparations are visible: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth traveled to Israel to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and a third carrier is heading to the region. Myre said President Trump is likely to weigh military action after Nov. 3 to avoid a jump in oil prices before voters go to the polls. He added that the U.S. and Israel can inflict heavy damage, but Iran has shown no sign of major concessions.

Voting has been underway for more than a week. Nearly 21 million Americans have cast ballots by mail or in person, according to the University of Florida's Election Lab, and NPR's Saige Miller said that figure rose by about 2 million in one day. Early voting in key battleground states is running higher than in the last midterm cycle. Miller cautioned against reading the early numbers as a forecast of final results. Democrats are voting early at higher rates than Republicans, while unaffiliated voters are also participating.

A federal judge in California has restricted pre-election field operations by the Department of Homeland Security, which says the work aims to identify noncitizens who allegedly voted illegally in nine states. Grocery costs remain a concern. Ground beef reached $6.79 per pound last month, up 85% over a decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Eggs fell to $2.27 a dozen after a record $6.23 in March 2025, and butter averaged $3.96 in September. Coffee is 44% higher than two years ago, even after tariffs on it were removed.

Election Day is Nov. 3.