The top U.S. military commander in the Middle East briefed President Donald Trump at the White House Thursday on potential military operations against Iran, as the administration weighs whether to resume major combat operations following next week’s midterm elections.

Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, attended the briefing alongside Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, according to The Wall Street Journal, which cited U.S. officials and others familiar with the meeting. Additional Cabinet members also participated, with discussions covering other national security matters.

The meeting followed a separate White House session Wednesday between the military leaders and Vice President JD Vance, one person familiar with the discussions told the Journal.

The administration has been weighing the possibility of a short, intense military campaign against Iran after the elections. U.S. officials have reportedly urged Arab Gulf states to prepare for the possibility of renewed American strikes.

Trump addressed the prospect during an Oct. 23 campaign rally in Florida, suggesting the United States could launch another operation if Tehran refuses to reach an agreement.

“We may do another little Epic Fury,” Trump said. “Or they'll agree. If they are smart, they will just say let's get down to business. I doubt they will do that. We did a number on them.”

The War Department has also taken steps to strengthen American military capabilities in the region. In recent weeks, the Pentagon has moved additional air defenses, munitions and supplies to the Middle East while relocating some personnel away from bases considered vulnerable to Iranian retaliation.

The Army is also moving another Patriot missile battery to Israel to reinforce the country's defenses against potential Iranian missile attacks.

Iran has warned through public statements and private diplomatic channels that it could target American and Gulf state interests across the region if the United States launches another strike. Tehran has also resumed ballistic missile production using components stored in underground facilities and expanded efforts to threaten American personnel in the Middle East, according to the Journal.

At the same time, Vance has reportedly contacted Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, in an effort to restart diplomatic negotiations. Trump has characterized the outreach as an effort to facilitate the delivery of medical supplies to Iran.

The possibility of renewed military action has drawn concern from some members of Congress. Sen. Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat serving on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Wednesday that he had discussed the administration's potential war plans during a classified briefing.

Murphy said the discussion included a possible campaign of limited duration but criticized the strategy presented to lawmakers.

“In one of these briefings, we did get the chance to have a fairly detailed conversation about what the war plan would be if we restarted military operations,” Murphy said during an event organized by the Middle East Institute in Washington.

“You've heard a preview that it would be a short duration. I will just say this: their plan is insane,” he continued. “It will lead to devastating escalation and the likely destruction of our commitment to the rule of law.”