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Iran Is Fortifying Nuclear Sites and Rallying Its People for a Return to Fighting
(Wall Street Journal) Benoit Faucon - Iran is fortifying its defenses, rallying loyalists and threatening a wider, harsher response against the U.S. and its Gulf allies as it prepares for potential American attacks after the midterms. Satellite images show Iran is strengthening sensitive locations, including nuclear sites, to make them more resilient to attacks. The government is also preparing Iranians for renewed war, sending paramilitary forces to read war stories to kindergartners, advertising training in firing shoulder-mounted antiaircraft missiles, and holding rallies. Iran has little ability to defend against attacks, giving it an incentive to try to deter such attacks with threats. The belligerent tone also serves as a distraction from the deepening economic misery Iranians are experiencing. Iran's top national security official, Mohsen Rezaei, said Sunday that Tehran could target the UAE, which has largely escaped being attacked since late spring, as well as data centers and internet cables across the region. Tehran has separately warned that it could strike Saudi oil facilities in the event of a renewed conflict. The missile attack by the Houthis on the airport in Riyadh that killed 13 people and injured hundreds more on Saturday highlighted the vulnerability of major economic targets in the region.