The entire Middle East region is moving on a trajectory toward extreme conflict, with Iran signalling that it not only does not fear a potential attack on its territory by the US and Israel, but sending a clear message in all tones that it... essentially invites the Israeli-American coalition to launch a new round of conflict aimed at inflicting a strategic defeat on Donald Trump, particularly ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, as Reuters revealed on 10/20.
BREAKING: Iranian officials are deliberately dragging out negotiations with Washington to completely crush Donald Trump’s hopes of a diplomatic victory ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, per senior Iranian officials cited by Reuters. Tehran believes keeping the conflict unresolved and refusing major concessions could intensify political pressure on Trump as the war drives up energy prices. “Iran is preparing for renewed Israeli and US attacks, not for a deal with America to end the war,” one Iranian official said. Iran also says its military remains at the highest state of alert, preparing for the possibility of renewed attacks.
— The Hormuz Report (@HormuzReport) October 20, 2026
Indeed, on October 20, Iran rejected Pakistan's proposals for negotiations supported by the United States, insisting on the 7-point plan submitted a week ago to international platforms via Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. For their part, the US and Israel are preparing for the possibility of a new wave of attacks against Iran, as US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth secretly traveled today, 10/20, to Israel to meet with Benjamin Netanyahu and United Arab Emirates officials at the Ovda Airbase. At the center of discussions sat the possibility of resuming large-scale military operations against Iran just eight days before the Israeli elections, according to two sources cited by Axios. Meanwhile, an uproar erupted in Iran following reports that Ukraine has deployed drone operators and small-sized drones in several countries across the broader region surrounding Iranian territory... As emphasized from Tehran, Zelensky turned Ukraine into NATO's new "operational arm" in the Caspian Sea and will therefore receive a decisive response for his reckless actions...
Upturn: Iran delays negotiations, provokes US and Israel to open fire: "We will exhaust Trump"
Specifically, Iranian officials are deliberately delaying negotiations with Washington, seeking to fully dissipate Donald Trump's hopes for a diplomatic victory ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, according to senior Iranian officials cited by Reuters on 10/20. Tehran estimates that maintaining the conflict in suspense and refusing to grant significant concessions could intensify political pressure on Trump, as the war drives up energy prices.
"Iran is preparing for new Israeli and American attacks rather than a deal with the United States that would end the war," an Iranian official stated. Concurrently, Iran points out that its armed forces remain at the highest level of alert, preparing for the possibility of resuming attacks.
Tehran rejected Pakistan's proposal for negotiations — "We insist on the 7-point plan"
On the diplomatic front, Iran rejected Pakistan's negotiation proposals supported by the United States, with Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Secretary Mohsen Rezaei ruling out the start of talks until Washington fulfills the seven conditions set by Tehran, according to the Tehran Times.
The exact same categorical message was conveyed by Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf to Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir during his visit to Tehran as part of mediation efforts: "We have no new message." Reports regarding diplomatic progress in US-Iran relations are entirely false and aimed at manipulating the oil market — something that, as proven, they indeed achieved.
US and Israel with finger on the trigger — "Hegseth traveled secretly to Israel"
For their part, the US and Israel are preparing for the possibility of a new wave of attacks against Iran, as US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth secretly traveled today to Israel to meet with Benjamin Netanyahu and United Arab Emirates officials at the Ovda Airbase. At the center of talks sat the prospect of resuming large-scale military operations against Iran just eight days before the Israeli elections, according to two sources cited by Axios.
The meeting took place at the airbase where American aerial refueling aircraft, fighter jets, and US military personnel are deployed. At the same time, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) ordered the suspension of all military leaves from Thursday 10/22, while placing their forces on the highest level of alert, with command centers staffed at war mobilization levels.
Bomb revelation by Tasnim: Ukrainians deployed drone units around Iran
Meanwhile, an Iranian security services source revealed to the Tasnim news agency that Ukraine has deployed drone operators as well as small-sized drones in several countries across the broader region surrounding Iran. According to the same source, Ukraine's actions include deploying an operational network of small unmanned aerial vehicles in the region.
The source pointed out that information regarding countries hosting Ukrainian forces and drones is classified and will be published at the appropriate moment, while revealing that Ukrainian elements have deployed thousands of drones in the area administered by the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq. The same source also underlined that Tehran considers this specific Ukrainian activity part of hostile actions by Europe and NATO against Iran and is weighing the appropriate response option. Concurrently, the source characterized these conspiratorial actions as a "failed sabotage attempt and a scandal" for Ukraine, stressing that Tehran possesses full awareness and control over Kyiv's hostile actions.
NATO's new "operational arm" in the Caspian threatens Iran
Referring to the history of the Ukrainian attack against an Iranian ship in the Caspian Sea and the leniency exhibited by Iran toward that specific hostile act, the source stated: "Iran will not allow Europe and Ukraine to acquire the permission and margin required to promote anti-Iranian actions." These statements occur during a period when Ukraine has participated in anti-Iranian actions during the 40-day war waged by the United States and the Zionist regime against Iran, particularly through assisting involved parties, including countries hosting American military bases in the Persian Gulf, on drone-related issues.
In the past, discussions had already taken place regarding the presence of Ukrainian forces in West Asia for the purpose of conducting sabotage operations and training terrorists in using unmanned aerial vehicles. Analysts had characterized Ukraine as NATO's new operational arm in the region. Within this context, in the summer of 2025, police in Sulaymaniyah, northern Iraq, announced the arrest of three Ukrainians overseeing the training of a local team in operating small drones.
The history of Ukrainian attacks in the Middle East
Sulaymaniyah police added that the purpose of training that specific group was conducting assassination operations through funding and supervision provided by forces of a terrorist organization in northern Iraq. This is not the first time reference is made to subversive elements linked to Ukraine within the context of Middle East developments, as security forces from the country currently operate as mercenaries in various areas in exchange for financial compensation from the United States, Britain, and the Zionist regime of Israel.
The first appearance of Ukrainians in the region for sabotage operations dates back to the attack against the officer military academy graduation ceremony in Homs, when Russian sources reported that the strike was carried out under the guidance of Ukrainian elements. The drone attack against the graduation ceremony at the Homs military academy in October 2013 resulted in the deaths of at least 100 people, many of whom were family members of young Syrian officers killed in the attack.
Jerusalem Post: Trump was ready to launch an attack on Iran on at least one occasion
It should be noted that the Jerusalem Post revealed on Tuesday 10/20 that the Trump administration had recently come, on at least one occasion, very close to approving an attack on Iran and was "one step away from greenlighting the strike." The report continues, noting that this revelation follows statements made last week by American President Donald Trump in Atlanta, Georgia, where he told reporters: "Wait and see what we are going to do with Iran."
In another statement, the American president noted that the United States will not bomb Iran again before November 3. However, Iranian officials told Reuters on Tuesday 10/20 that Tehran still expects the resumption of airstrikes sooner or later.
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