Iranian security officials told Reuters that Tehran has developed detailed plans to strike Gulf undersea cables if attacked again by the United States and Israel

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Maritime security officials reported that Iranian forces began deploying guided missiles against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz rather than attack drones

Ali Abdollahi, chief of general staff of the Iranian armed forces, stated that Iranian forces would prevent U.S. Navy warships from re-entering Iran's territorial waters or periphery

Prior mediation efforts involving Qatar and Pakistan produced an interim peace agreement between Iran and the United States in June 2026, which unraveled weeks later

US President Donald Trump stated on October 23, 2026, that the United States may launch another military operation against Iran

Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly stated that the October 26 Tehran meeting aims to de-escalate the current regional crisis stemming from Houthi attacks, promote diplomatic solutions, and support mediation efforts led by Qatar and Pakistan

A US intelligence memo circulated in late October 2026 warned that Iranian plots against American personnel had reached advanced stages

Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir initiated the October 26 Mecca Pact meeting with Iran during his visit to Tehran the prior week, where he met Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Turkish Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin are scheduled to meet Iranian leaders in Tehran on October 26, 2026

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to target seabed internet and communication cables if Iranian civilian infrastructure is attacked by the United States or Israel

Qatari mediators met Iranian officials in Tehran on October 25, 2026, to negotiate a regional de-escalation between Tehran and Washington

Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton issued an October 23, 2026 memorandum warning that Iranian operatives have increased lethal assassination plots against U.S. officials

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on October 25, 2026 that a potential resumption of war with Israel and the United States would not change Iran's strategic positions

Iranian media and analysts reported that Tehran activated a 'dead hand' military doctrine allowing continued strikes across 31 provinces if senior Iranian figures are assassinated

Two Iranian officials told The New York Times that U.S. officials are considered targets in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli military strikes that killed Iranian personnel

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy reported on October 22, 2026, that seven oil tankers caught fire or were damaged overnight after four were directly hit and three struck naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy threatened on October 22, 2026, to strike U.S. military bases in the Middle East if U.S. forces continue escorting commercial ships through the Strait of Hormuz

Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on October 21, 2026, that Iran remains open to diplomacy but warned that Tehran could expand military targets to infrastructure such as undersea cables and data centers

IRGC spokesperson Brig. Gen. Hossein Mohebbi stated on October 24, 2026 that if attacked, Iran will achieve absolute victory in an apocalyptic war that will decide the fate of regional nations

An Iranian security official stated that Iran would aim to prevent repairs following any attacks it carries out on undersea cables to prolong communications and internet disruptions

Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi, Chief of the General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces, stated on October 24, 2026 that U.S. military vessels will not be allowed to enter the Persian Gulf under any circumstances