Trump plans to resume strikes on Iran after midterm elections: media

U.S. President Donald Trump is planning to resume strikes against Iran following the midterm elections, with preparations underway for a potential "brief but intense" campaign, U.S. media reported Friday.

According to a report by MS NOW, three senior Gulf officials revealed that the Trump administration has briefed its Gulf allies to prepare for "a short, intense round of strikes" as early as Nov. 4 -- the day after the midterm elections.

The report stated that America's Gulf allies are working to ease tensions, expressing concern over potential retaliatory measures from Iran.

A White House official stated that the administration does not comment on sensitive military plans -- whether they exist or not, however, Trump reserves all options to ensure Iran never acquires nuclear weapons.

Trump plans to resume strikes on Iran after midterm elections: media

Trump plans to resume strikes on Iran after midterm elections: media

Trump plans to resume strikes on Iran after midterm elections: media

Trump plans to resume strikes on Iran after midterm elections: media

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Security Council on Friday adopted a resolution to extend the mandate of the UN Verification Mission in Colombia for another year, until Oct. 31, 2027.

Resolution 2833 decides that the mission's mandate will be focused on its primary function only: the reincorporation of former combatants of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and personal and collective security guarantees.

After casting an affirmative vote, the Chinese representative emphasized that the resolution reflects the firm support of the Security Council and the international community for Colombia's peace process.

"This reflects the firm support of the Security Council and the international community for the peace process in Colombia, a development that China welcomes," said Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations. 

The Colombian government and the FARC struck a peace deal in August 2016 after four years of negotiations in Havana, Cuba. The UN Security Council in July 2017 approved the establishment of the Verification Mission to verify the political, economic and social reintegration of former FARC combatants as well as security guarantees.

The mandate of the mission was later expanded to include monitoring the implementation of the 2016 peace agreement's comprehensive rural reform and ethnic chapters. Friday's resolution retained only the primary tasks of the mission.

Security Council renews mandate of UN Verification Mission in Colombia