US President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to restart the war against Iran after the November 3 midterm elections, US Senator Chris Murphy has claimed, warning that the proposed military strategy could trigger another cycle of escalation.In a post on X, Murphy, a Democratic senator from Connecticut, said some individuals had been briefed on the proposed war plan but declined to disclose its details. However, he described the strategy as "insane", arguing that it would fail to achieve its objectives and further escalate the conflict."Some of us have been briefed on the war plan.
And while I cannot disclose any details, I can say this: the plan is insane. It will not achieve objectives and will set off a new cycle of escalation," Murphy told the press.The post had garnered 2.8 million views at the time of reporting.
The claim comes amid growing indications that the Trump administration is keeping the option of renewed military action against Iran open, even as the conflict's financial and political costs continue to mount.TRUMP WEIGHS FRESH STRIKES AFTER MIDTERM ELECTIONSTrump has repeatedly raised the possibility of resuming military operations against Iran, with the November 3 midterm elections emerging as a key political consideration. The US President had earlier warned that Washington could launch another military operation as the war approached its eight-month mark.
Rising fuel prices linked to the conflict have also weighed on Republican candidates and Trump's approval ratings ahead of the elections.Trump had launched the war jointly with Israel in February, initially predicting that the conflict would be short-lived. However, an April ceasefire gave Iran time to recover underground military storage facilities and bring back some of its previously inaccessible air defences, missiles and drones.The US has since imposed a naval blockade on Iran in an attempt to cut off its oil export revenue.
US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, have also indicated that the Pentagon has been preparing for the possibility of heavy fighting resuming if Trump gives the order.IRAN WAR HAS COST US OVER $47 BILLIONThe prospect of renewed military action comes as the financial burden of the Iran war continues to increase.According to Pentagon data obtained by Reuters, the US military's spending on the conflict has crossed $47 billion. This is more than 25 per cent higher than the estimate provided by the Defence Department in July.The latest estimate includes operational expenses, with more than $29 billion projected to replace the munitions used during the conflict.
Another $6 billion-plus would be required to replace military equipment and platform losses, including aircraft and drones.PENTAGON REMOVES TOP MILITARY PLANNER AMID FRESH WAR PLANSThe developments also come against the backdrop of significant changes in the US military leadership.Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth recently removed Army Lieutenant General Brett Sylvia from his position as the Pentagon's top military planner, according to a defence official quoted by the Associated Press.Sylvia was serving as the head of strategy, plans and policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a position known as the J5. The office plays a key role in preparing and coordinating military plans in consultation with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the President.No immediate replacement had been announced, and no reason was given for Sylvia's removal, the official said.Sylvia's departure marked the latest in a series of changes involving senior US military leadership.
Nearly two dozen generals, admirals and other senior military officials have been fired, forced into retirement or stepped down during Hegseth's tenure.Last month, Hegseth said he had ordered the military to double planned cuts to its senior-most officer ranks, targeting a 20 per cent reduction by January 1, 2027. He described the move as "accountability and long overdue", while some members of Congress criticised the exercise as a purge that could take years to reverse.US BASES PREPARE FOR 90 DAYS WITHOUT EXTERNAL SUPPORTSeparately, the US military is preparing for a scenario in which its bases could operate for 90 days without external support amid the possibility of major disruptions to power grids and supply chains.The initiative, called FORTRESS, has added to concerns about the prospect of a wider conflict involving the US and Iran.The preparations also surfaced just days after the UK and Japan urged households to stock up on essential supplies, further highlighting concerns over potential disruptions linked to the conflict.Murphy's warning comes amid growing concerns over the cost and consequences of a renewed US military campaign against Iran.
The US military has already spent more than $47 billion on the war, while the Trump administration has reportedly kept plans for fresh strikes on the table after the November 3 midterm elections.- Ends