Weekend Highlights: The Middle East WSJ reported that US ships were being prepared for possible strikes on Iran. Munitions were delivered to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington and other ships, including means of destroying fortified objects. Reuters: Iran has prepared plans to attack submarine cables in the Persian Gulf. Iran said exchanges of messages with the US were ongoing. The spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Bagai, spoke about contacts through mediators and maintaining the possibility of diplomacy. At the same time, Tehran rejects the demands, which it characterizes as "total surrender". Netanyahu warned against a possible Iranian attack ahead of the Israeli elections. Israel is preparing for international sanctions. Netanyahu allowed restrictions on the Israeli banking system and announced an order to develop alternative payment mechanisms, including other currencies and blockchain. Axios: American intelligence warns that Iran is preparing assassination attempts on American officials. The publication refers to the memorandum of October 23.