U.S. President Donald Trump could be more inclined to order a large-scale military operation against Iran if Republicans suffer a devastating defeat in the midterm elections, Axios reported Saturday, citing a U.S. official.
The same official suggested the window for Tehran to reach a deal is now, before that political calculus shifts.
The report comes as Washington appears to be laying the groundwork for a renewed confrontation.
The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday that Trump spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that day, briefing his Middle East ally as the U.S. weighs another strike on Iran.
The call came just days after Trump huddled behind closed doors at the White House with his senior military commanders to discuss options for a renewed large-scale operation.
And the planning may already be reaching U.S. allies.
MS Now reported Friday that the Trump administration has told its Gulf partners to prepare for a "short but intense" round of strikes that could come as soon as Nov 4, according to three senior Gulf Arab officials. Those allies are now pushing hard to de-escalate, worried about how Iran might retaliate, the report said.
Midterm rout could push Trump toward major strike on Iran: U.S. media
Midterm rout could push Trump toward major strike on Iran: U.S. media
Midterm rout could push Trump toward major strike on Iran: U.S. media
China's listed securities brokers reported steady net profit growth in the first three quarters of this year, according to the latest data.
During the period, 48 listed securities brokerage firms and brokerage concept stocks recorded combined operating revenues of 528.04 billion yuan (about 79.27 billion U.S. dollars), an increase of 18.73 percent year on year.
Among the revenues, net profit attributable to the parent company neared 222.62 billion yuan, an increase of 23.02 percent year on year.
A total of 26 companies achieved year-on-year growth in both operating revenue and net profit attributable to the parent company during this period.
In the first three quarters, CITIC Securities ranked first, reporting an operating revenue of 66.59 billion yuan and a net profit attributable to the parent company of more than 31.02 billion yuan.
Guotai Haitong Securities posted an operating revenue of nearly 58.98 billion yuan and a net profit attributable to the parent company of more than 24.88 billion yuan.
China Merchants Securities, GF Securities and China International Capital Corporation were also among brokerage firms whose net profit attributable to their parent companies each exceeded 10 billion yuan.
"As competition across the industry intensifies, the divergence among brokerage firms is likely to become more pronounced. Looking ahead, firms that possess comprehensive financial service capabilities, specialized business strengths and robust risk management frameworks will be better positioned to gain a competitive advantage. Optimizing revenue structures, mitigating performance volatility and enhancing the stability of earnings will be key priorities for the high-quality development of brokerage firms," said Tian Lihui, a finance professor at the Nankai University.
China's securities brokers see profits growth in first three quarters
