Retired Gen. Jack Keane is warning that Iran could become increasingly aggressive as the United States approaches the November midterm elections, with Tehran potentially calculating that President Donald Trump will be reluctant to launch major military action so close to Election Day.

Speaking Wednesday on Fox News’ “Special Report,” Keane, a Fox News senior strategic analyst, said he believes Iranian leaders may view the approaching elections as an opportunity to increase pressure on Washington.

“My gut feel is that they’re likely going to get more aggressive,” Keane said, arguing that Tehran may believe Trump would hesitate to respond militarily before the midterms.

Keane cautioned, however, that Iran has repeatedly underestimated Trump and said the United States currently has significant military capabilities positioned in the region. He argued that Trump retains the ability to order overwhelming military action should Tehran cross a line. Fox News has previously reported Keane’s assessment that Iran has sought to stretch the confrontation toward the midterm elections.

The warning comes amid renewed tensions over the Strait of Hormuz and uncertainty surrounding the U.S.-Iran interim agreement. Trump has asserted that the United States has “total control” over the strategically vital waterway, while commercial shipping through the strait remains sharply disrupted.

Meanwhile, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday that Tehran and Washington are not discussing an extension of the interim agreement, rejecting reports that the arrangement had been prolonged. Iran maintains that Washington must return to the terms of the June agreement before negotiations can resume.

The agreement signed in June extended a ceasefire for 60 days while the two sides sought to negotiate a broader settlement, placing its expiration in mid-August. With the negotiating period nearing its end and no breakthrough announced, the coming days could prove critical in determining whether the standoff returns to a more intense military phase.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)