All eyes are increasingly turning to the US midterm elections next week, and the risk of renewed escalation of the US-Iran war after the polls have closed. Oil prices rose to the highest level since April as evidence builds of possible new US strikes on Iran. There are still many paths forward from here. This week, we’ve –again– seen several attempts at restarting diplomacy. However, none have yielded progress. At the same time, an increasing number of recent statements from President Trump, and evidence of US and Israeli logistical preparations suggest that military strikes may restart after November 3. The Wall Street Journal reports that President Trump was recently briefed on the attack options.