According to CoinMeta, tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated again recently. U.S. officials stated that Trump is inclined to return to a more aggressive stance and has been briefed on plans to strike Iranian nuclear facilities and islands under Iranian control. The U.S. Navy’s USS George Washington aircraft carrier is refueling with land-based attack missiles and bunker bombs in the Arabian Sea, while another aircraft carrier strike group and an attack ship carrying Marines are also on their way to the region. It is expected that more than a dozen U.S. Navy vessels will be operating in the area. The U.S. is also withdrawing staff from its embassies and bases in the region due to suspicions of Iranian plots against Americans and has updated travel warnings for 13 Middle Eastern countries. Iranian armed forces have indicated they are ready to open fire at U.S. warships, and the Iranian foreign minister warned, “We also have unfinished tasks.” The price of Brent crude oil has risen to around $117, the highest level since April. Although no final decision has been made yet, it is anticipated that strike operations will be prepared for after the mid-term elections.