Nuclear sites fortified, loyalists rallied: Iran braces for possible US attacks

Iran has strengthened defences around sensitive nuclear sites and stepped up efforts to rally domestic support as it prepares for possible renewed US strikes after the November 3 midterm elections, the Wall Street Journal reported. Tehran has also warned regional officials that a fresh conflict could spill across the Gulf, with threats of land incursions into neighbouring countries and attacks on regional infrastructure, US forces and commercial shipping.The warnings, conveyed by Iranian officials in public statements and private conversations with regional counterparts, are part of Tehran’s effort to deter potential American attacks after the November 3 midterm elections.Some Iranian officials have hinted that Iranian forces could cross into neighbouring countries if Washington resumes strikes, people familiar with the warnings told the WSJ.Iran’s top national security official, Mohsen Rezaei, said on Sunday that Tehran could target the United Arab Emirates, as well as data centres and internet cables across the region.Tehran…