Amid rising fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East, the United States is reportedly prepared to strike Iran as early as this weekend, although President Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision.
According to CNN, the White House has been informed that the US military could be ready to launch an attack by the weekend. The development comes as Washington ramps up its military presence in the region, deploying additional air and naval assets.
Senior national security officials from the Trump administration met in the White House Situation Room on Wednesday to assess the situation. The president was also briefed by special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner. However, it remains uncertain whether Trump will authorise military action. Citing a source, CNN reported that the president is “spending a lot of time thinking about this.”
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump has been presented with a range of military options aimed at maximising damage against Tehran, including plans that could target numerous Iranian political and military leaders in an effort to destabilise the government.
US Military Build-Up
The administration has ordered a second aircraft carrier to the region. The USS Abraham Lincoln, carrying nearly 80 aircraft, was positioned roughly 700 kilometres off the Iranian coast as of Sunday, according to satellite imagery.
The US Air Force is also reportedly repositioning assets from the United Kingdom to the Middle East, including refuelling tankers and fighter jets. Flight-tracking data further indicates that US military cargo planes have transported equipment to Jordan, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia in recent weeks.
Iran Responds
Iran has also sought to demonstrate its military capabilities. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has launched war games in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for global oil and gas shipments. Iranian officials have warned they could block the strait if tensions escalate further.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Iran would be “wise” to reach a deal with Washington. She acknowledged limited progress in recent talks held in Geneva, but noted that significant differences remain. “There was a little bit of progress made, but we are still far apart on some issues. We expect the Iranians to come back with details in the next couple of weeks. The president will continue to watch how this plays out,” she said, emphasising that diplomacy remains Trump’s preferred course before military action.
Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was drafting a framework for future negotiations with the US. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran does “not want war” but warned against external pressure. “From the day I took office, I have believed that war must be set aside. But if they try to impose their will on us and demand that we bow our heads at any cost, should we accept that?” he asked.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright reiterated that Washington would prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons “one way or the other,” calling such a development “entirely unacceptable.”
