WASHINGTON: A foreign news agency has reported that the U.S. military is preparing for a potentially prolonged war against Iran lasting weeks, on the orders of President Donald Trump.
This could lead to the most severe tensions between the two countries in history.
According to a Reuters report, officials—speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, stated that the U.S. military is actively preparing plans.
If President Donald Trump orders an attack on Iran, these preparations would be implemented.
The officials described this move as a threat to the ongoing diplomatic process between Iran and the United States.
They noted that the current planning is far more complex than before.
One official revealed that, in a sustained campaign, the U.S. military could target not only Iranian nuclear facilities but also state institutions and security infrastructure, though specific details were not provided.
The official added that the United States anticipates a retaliatory response from Iran, which could escalate into a cycle of counter-attacks and reprisals from both sides over time.
When asked about the planning for strikes on Iran, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly responded that President Trump has kept all options on the table regarding Iran.
She stated that he listens to various perspectives on any issue but makes final decisions based on what is best for the country and national security.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon has not commented on the matter.
However, the United States deployed two aircraft carriers to the region last year following strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June.
Experts believe that any such operation against Iran would pose significantly greater risks to U.S. forces, given Iran’s extensive missile arsenal. Iranian counter-attacks could broaden the conflict across the region.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran with strikes, including warnings of bombing to end its nuclear program.
On Thursday, he cautioned that any action without a diplomatic solution would be extremely traumatic.
In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned that, in the event of attacks on Iranian territory, they could target any U.S. military center.
The United States maintains military bases throughout the Middle East, including in Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey.
It is worth noting that Iran and the United States are scheduled to hold talks in Geneva on Tuesday, mediated by Oman. U.S. representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to participate.
