Hegseth accelerates third carrier deployment as Iran strike looms over 21 million early ballots

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed a third U.S. aircraft carrier to the Middle East as military preparations intensify ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. The move follows a recent trip by Hegseth to Israel, where he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A source briefed on U.S. and Israeli war planning told NPR that the two nations are preparing for a potential attack on Iran after the American vote concludes.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran is ready for both diplomacy and war. According to NPR correspondent Greg Myre, the United States and Israel possess the capability to inflict heavy damage, yet Iran shows no indication of making major concessions. Instead, Tehran is demanding formal control of the Strait of Hormuz and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the region.

Domestically, early voting has accelerated rapidly. The University of Florida’s Election Lab reported that nearly 21 million Americans cast ballots by mail or in person. Saige Miller, a reporter for NPR, noted that this total increased by approximately two million in a single day. Early voting rates in key battleground states are currently higher than during the previous midterm cycle.

Miller cautioned that early figures do not necessarily predict final results. The data indicates that Democrats are voting early at higher rates than Republicans, while unaffiliated voters are also participating. Historically, Democrats tend to vote early, whereas Republicans often turn out on Election Day.

A federal judge in California has restricted pre-election field operations conducted by the Department of Homeland Security. The agency stated that its efforts aim to identify noncitizens who allegedly voted illegally in nine states.

In a separate legal development, a federal magistrate judge ruled that President Trump must sit for a deposition in his $10 billion defamation case against the BBC. The judge ordered Trump to comply with court rules or face sanctions. The lawsuit centers on a Panorama broadcast from late October 2024, which allegedly edited his January 6 speech to make it appear as though he incited a violent siege of Congress.

The BBC apologized for the splicing and is seeking to understand Trump’s state of mind during the speech. BBC attorneys stated that more than 200 defendants in January 6 cases have said the speech motivated them. The network is also seeking details on how Trump has profited since returning to the White House to gauge the extent of any economic damage.

Grocery prices remain a focus for voters. Ground beef reached $6.79 per pound last month, an 85% increase over the past decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Eggs fell to $2.27 per dozen after peaking at $6.23 in March 2025. Butter averaged $3.96 in September, a 17.3% decline from a year earlier due to oversupply. Coffee prices remain 44% higher than two years ago despite the removal of tariffs.