The U.S. military is preparing for the possibility of weeks-long operations against Iran if President Donald Trump authorizes military action, two U.S. officials told Reuters. Such an operation would mark a far more serious conflict between the two countries than seen in recent years.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the planning, said the preparations raise the stakes as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran continue.
U.S. and Iranian diplomats held talks in Oman last week aimed at reviving negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. These discussions came after the Trump administration increased U.S. military deployments in the region, heightening concerns about possible military action.
On Friday, U.S. officials said the Pentagon was sending an additional aircraft carrier to the Middle East, adding thousands of troops, fighter aircraft, guided-missile destroyers, and other military assets capable of both offensive and defensive operations.
Speaking to U.S. troops at a base in North Carolina, Trump said it had been “difficult to make a deal” with Iran.
“Sometimes you have to have fear. That’s the only thing that really will get the situation taken care of,” he said.
Asked about preparations for a sustained military campaign, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said President Trump has “all options on the table” regarding Iran and makes decisions based on U.S. national security interests. The Pentagon declined to comment.
Last year, the United States sent two aircraft carriers to the region during strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Those attacks, including June’s “Midnight Hammer” operation, were limited in scope. Stealth bombers flew from the United States to hit nuclear facilities, and Iran responded with a restrained strike on a U.S. base in Qatar.
Current planning is more complex, officials said. In a prolonged campaign, U.S. forces could target Iranian state and security facilities, not just nuclear infrastructure. No specific targets were disclosed.
Military experts warn that risks to U.S. forces would be significantly higher in a sustained conflict. Iran possesses a large missile arsenal, and retaliation could trigger a broader regional war. U.S. officials expect Iran to respond, potentially leading to repeated strikes and counterstrikes over an extended period.
Trump has repeatedly threatened military action over Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and its suppression of internal dissent. He warned on Thursday that failure to reach a diplomatic solution would be “very traumatic.”
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have said they would retaliate against U.S. bases if Iran is attacked. The United States maintains military bases across the Middle East, including in Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Trump in Washington this week and said any agreement with Iran must include terms vital to Israel’s security.
Iran has said it is willing to discuss limits on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief but has ruled out linking nuclear talks to its missile program.
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