05.11.2026 07:20
After the Democrats' victory in the U.S. congressional midterm elections, attention turned to Washington's possible military moves against Iran. The Israeli press reported that one of the specially equipped spy aircraft, only two of which are in the U.S. inventory, had been sent to the Middle East. While claims that military transport and refueling aircraft had previously been deployed to the region came to the fore, it was also suggested that Washington had warned some Gulf countries against a possible post-election conflict.
After the congressional midterm elections held in the US on November 3, political balances shifted in favor of the Democratic Party, while new claims regarding military activity in the Middle East came to the agenda. After the elections in which President Donald Trump's Republican Party fell behind in both chambers of Congress, it was reported that a strategic US military spy plane was sent to the Middle East. While the Israeli press linked this development to possible military preparations against Iran, claims that Washington had previously warned regional countries about the post-election period also drew attention again.
NUMBER OF DEMOCRATIC SEATS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RISES TO 237
In the midterm elections in the US, where members of the House of Representatives and Senate were determined, according to unofficial results, the Democratic Party gained an advantage over the Republicans in both chambers of Congress.
According to the latest data from US sources, in the 100-member Senate, the number of Democratic seats remained at 54, while the Republicans remained at 44. In the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of Congress, the number of Democratic seats rose to 237, while the Republicans remained at 139.
The picture emerging in the elections, where vote counting continues, indicates that political balances in Washington will change, while possible US military steps against Iran remain on the agenda of the international public.
ONE OF THE US'S TWO SPECIAL SPY PLANES SENT TO THE MIDDLE EAST
According to a report by Israeli state television KAN, one of the RC-135U Combat Sent-type strategic spy aircraft, of which there are only two in the US Air Force inventory, set off toward the Middle East within the last 24 hours.
The dispatch of the specially equipped aircraft, used to detect and analyze electronic signals emitted by enemy radars and air defense systems, to the region was evaluated in the Israeli press as part of possible military preparations against Iran.
However, no official statement was reported indicating that the aircraft's deployment pointed directly to a decision to attack.
CLAIM OF 10 TRANSPORT AND 80 REFUELING AIRCRAFT TO ISRAEL
Claims regarding US military activity in the region are not limited to the spy plane. In reports published in the Israeli press on October 31, it was alleged that the US military had deployed 10 military transport aircraft and 80 air-to-air refueling aircraft to Israel in preparation for a possible large-scale military operation against Iran.
The claim that the aircraft in question were dispatched to the region was evaluated within the scope of possible US operational preparations against Iran.
WALL STREET JOURNAL: AN ADDITIONAL PATRIOT BATTERY WAS SENT TO ISRAEL
The Wall Street Journal, in its report based on flight tracking data and official sources, also claimed that there were new signs that the US and Israel may be preparing an attack against Iran.
According to the newspaper's report, the Washington administration sent an additional Patriot air defense battery from Texas to Israel to strengthen missile defense capacity in the region.
This development was also among the claims that the US was strengthening its military presence in the Middle East.
CLAIM OF A POST-ELECTION WARNING TO GULF COUNTRIES
In reports previously published in the US press, it was alleged that the Washington administration had warned some Gulf countries about possible military developments after the congressional midterm elections on November 3.
According to the claims, the US informed some countries in the region that they should be prepared for the possibility of short-term but intense clashes or attacks after the election.
The report that a specially equipped US spy plane was sent to the Middle East after the congressional elections is being evaluated together with these warnings. However, it has not been confirmed that there is a direct link between the election results and the military deployment, or that a decision to attack Iran has been made.