The United States and Israel are preparing for the possibility of striking Iran in early November, after the Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections, according to a person briefed on the planning. The person said the United States is building up forces in the region to be ready by early November. The preparations may also be intended to pressure Iran into a diplomatic agreement, rather than signal that an attack is certain. Israel had initially planned to strike Iran in mid-October, about two weeks before its Oct. 27 election, but President Donald Trump objected, the person said. The source spoke anonymously to discuss sensitive military preparations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday that Tehran was prepared for either negotiations or war. “Any scenario is conceivable including the possibility of an attack by the U.S. and Israel,” he told Iranian state media. The reported timing places the possible operation just after U.S. voters go to the polls. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is seeking reelection, has campaigned on a threat to topple Iran’s government. The account does not establish that a strike has been authorized. For now, the reported military buildup could serve both as a readiness measure and as leverage in diplomacy, while Iran’s public warning underscores the risk of a rapid escalation.