Related videos:
The United States military is preparing for the possibility of sustained operations lasting “weeks” against Iran if President Donald Trump orders an attack, according to two U.S. officials who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the planning.
The revelation heightens the risks for ongoing diplomacy and opens the door to a broader conflict than the previous clashes between the two countries, according to the report.
According to Reuters, military preparations are underway as U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner prepare for negotiations with Iran on Tuesday in Geneva, with Oman as the mediator.
In parallel, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that, while Trump prefers an agreement with Tehran, "that is very difficult to achieve," according to the text.
The report adds that Trump has concentrated military forces in the region. U.S. officials announced on Friday that the Pentagon will be sending an additional aircraft carrier to the Middle East, along with thousands of soldiers, as well as combat aircraft, guided missile destroyers, and other resources capable of attacking and defending.
When asked by Reuters about these preparations, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said that Trump has "all options on the table" regarding Iran. The Pentagon declined to comment.
According to the officials cited, this planning would be more complex than recent operations.
Attacks on key locations
In a sustained campaign, the United States could target Iranian state and security facilities, not just nuclear infrastructure, according to one official, who did not provide further details.
Reuters emphasizes that Washington fully anticipates Iranian retaliation, with a potential cycle of attacks and counterattacks over time.
The report reminds us that Iran possesses a formidable arsenal of missiles, which would increase the risk to U.S. forces and the region.
It also mentions warnings from the Revolutionary Guard about reprisals against U.S. military bases if there are attacks in Iranian territory, in a context where the United States maintains bases in Middle Eastern countries such as Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey.
Trump, cited by Reuters, publicly raised the possibility of changing the government in Iran after a military event at Fort Bragg, and reiterated his skepticism about sending ground troops, suggesting that the options on the table lean towards air and naval strikes.
The text compares the current situation with previous actions: last year, the U.S. sent two aircraft carriers to the region and, during the "Midnight Hammer" operation in June, carried out an attack that Reuters describes as essentially isolated against Iranian nuclear facilities, followed by a "very limited" Iranian retaliation against a U.S. base in Qatar.
Filed under: