Third Carrier Moves as Votes Rise

The United States is deploying a third aircraft carrier to the Middle East as preparations intensify for a potential military strike against Iran following the midterm elections. According to a person briefed on U.S. and Israeli war planning, the two nations are coordinating plans for an attack after Nov. 3. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently traveled to Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, signaling a heightened level of strategic coordination between the allies.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that the country is ready for both diplomacy and war. Tehran has demanded formal control of the Strait of Hormuz and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the region. The U.S. and Israel possess the capability to inflict heavy damage, but Iran shows no indication of making major concessions. President Trump is expected to weigh options for military action after the election to prevent a spike in oil prices before voters cast their ballots.

Voting is already well underway in the United States. The University of Florida's Election Lab reports that nearly 21 million Americans have cast ballots by mail or in person. That total increased by approximately 2 million in a single day. Early voting in key battleground states is running higher than during the previous midterm cycle. Democrats are voting early at higher rates than Republicans, while unaffiliated voters are also participating at increased levels.

A federal judge in California is restricting pre-election field operations by the Department of Homeland Security. The agency stated that its efforts aim to identify noncitizens who allegedly voted illegally in nine states. Meanwhile, a federal magistrate judge ordered President Trump to sit for a deposition in his $10 billion defamation case against the BBC. The judge ruled that Trump must comply with court rules or face sanctions.

The lawsuit centers on a Panorama broadcast from late October 2024 that allegedly edited Trump's Jan. 6 speech to suggest he incited a violent siege of Congress. Trump has called the broadcast false and defamatory under Florida law. The BBC apologized for the splicing and now seeks to understand Trump's state of mind during the speech. BBC attorneys note that more than 200 Jan. 6 defendants have said the speech motivated them. The network is also seeking details on how Trump has profited since returning to the White House.

Grocery costs remain a concern for consumers. Ground beef reached $6.79 per pound last month, an 85% increase over the past decade. Eggs fell to $2.27 per dozen after a record high of $6.23 in March 2025. Butter averaged $3.96 in September, down 17.3% from a year earlier due to oversupply. Coffee prices are still 44% higher than two years ago despite the removal of tariffs on the product.