US Officials Describe Planning for Sustained Operations
The US military is preparing for the possibility of sustained operations against Iran that could last for weeks if President Donald Trump orders an attack, according to two US officials familiar with the planning.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the operational preparations. They indicated the planning envisions a more serious scenario than recent US-Iran confrontations.
Diplomacy Underway With Talks Set in Geneva
The planning comes as diplomatic efforts are continuing between Washington and Tehran.
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to hold negotiations with Iran on Tuesday in Geneva, with representatives from Oman serving as mediators.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday that Trump’s preference is to reach a deal with Tehran, while describing an agreement as difficult to achieve.
Additional US Forces Moving Into the Region
US officials said the Pentagon is sending an additional aircraft carrier to the Middle East. The deployment is expected to add thousands more troops, along with fighter aircraft, guided missile destroyers, and other assets that can support both offensive operations and defensive coverage.
Trump has built up US forces in the region in recent days, prompting renewed concerns about possible military action.
Trump Comments Include Possibility of Iran Government Change
Speaking Friday after a military event at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Trump raised the prospect of changing Iran’s government, saying it “seems like that would be the best thing that could happen.”
He did not specify who he would want to replace Iran’s current leadership, but said “there are people.”
Trump also said, “For 47 years, they’ve been talking and talking and talking.”
White House Says Options Remain Open
Asked about preparations for potentially sustained operations, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said Trump has “all options on the table” with regard to Iran.
Kelly said Trump considers a range of perspectives but makes final decisions based on what he believes is best for the country and national security.
The Pentagon declined to comment.
Sustained Campaign Would Carry Higher Regional Risk, Officials Say
One US official said a sustained campaign could involve strikes on Iranian state and security facilities in addition to nuclear infrastructure, while declining to provide further operational details.
The same official said the United States fully expects Iran would retaliate, which could lead to a cycle of strikes and reprisals.
The White House and Pentagon did not respond to questions in the report about retaliation risks or the possibility of broader regional conflict.
Iran Has Warned of Retaliation Against US Bases
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has warned that if Iran is struck on its territory, it could retaliate against US military bases.
The US maintains bases throughout the Middle East, including in:
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Saudi Arabia
- Qatar
- Bahrain
- United Arab Emirates
- Turkey
Recent Context and Prior US Strike
The report notes the US sent two aircraft carriers to the region last year when it carried out strikes against Iranian nuclear sites.
It also describes a June operation referred to as “Midnight Hammer” as a one-time US attack involving stealth bombers flying from the United States to strike Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran later conducted a limited retaliatory strike on a US base in Qatar.
Trump has previously expressed skepticism about deploying US ground forces into Iran, saying last year that “the last thing you want to do is ground forces.”
Iran Nuclear Talks and Red Lines
Iran has said it is prepared to discuss curbs on its nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions. Iran has also ruled out linking negotiations to its missile program.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Trump in Washington on Wednesday and said that any agreement with Iran must include elements he described as vital to Israel.
Pahlavi Calls for US Intervention
Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi said Saturday that US military intervention could save lives and urged Washington not to spend too long negotiating with Iran’s leadership over a nuclear deal.
Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s former shah, told reporters there were signs the Iranian government was nearing collapse and that an attack could weaken it or accelerate its fall.
He said he hopes an attack would help drive a process leading to what he described as the regime’s downfall.
Related Coverage
- Idaho News – https://idahonews.co/idaho-news-3/
- National News – https://idahonews.co/national-news/
- Global News – https://idahonews.co/global-news/
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