Iranian officials have raised the possibility of launching ground incursions into neighboring countries if the United States resumes military strikes against the Islamic Republic, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with warnings conveyed by Tehran. The threats are part of a broader Iranian effort to deter Washington from launching another round of attacks after the November 3 midterm elections.

According to the report, some Iranian officials have hinted that their forces could cross into neighboring countries as part of a wider military escalation. The potential targets of such ground operations were not specified. Tehran has also privately warned Arab officials that renewed fighting could trigger attacks on Saudi oil facilities and other strategic infrastructure across the Gulf.

Iranian national security official Mohsen Rezaei warned Sunday that Tehran could strike the United Arab Emirates, which has largely avoided attacks since late spring, as well as data centers and internet cables across the region. Separately, Iranian officials have told mediators that their forces could intensify attacks on American personnel, including attempts to sink US warships in the Middle East and kill their crews, according to people familiar with the warnings cited by the Journal.