LONDON, November 2. /TASS/. Diplomats from Middle Eastern countries have expressed concerns that the US and Israel are planning new, more "damaging" strikes against Iran after the US midterm elections, the Financial Times reported.

The newspaper’s sources noted that the strikes could target the Iranian nuclear and missile facilities, as well as power plants, which would provoke harsh retaliation from Tehran. According to a United Arab Emirates diplomat, the prospect of a new phase of hostilities is forcing the region to prepare for the worst.

On October 8, US President Donald Trump said that Washington does not intend to launch strikes against Iran before the midterm congressional elections, which will take place on November 3. On October 31, he assured that talks with Tehran were going well but expressed doubts about Iran’s good faith. When asked whether he planned to resume military action against Iran the following week, he refused to give a clear answer.