US Military Prepares for Potential Strikes on Iran This Weekend

The United States military is on alert to initiate strikes against Iran as soon as this weekend, according to multiple media outlets, including CNN and CNBC. However, President Donald Trump has not yet finalised the decision to approve this operation. Reports indicate that the US is deploying fighter jets and additional support aircraft to the Middle East, marking the largest military presence in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Sources have revealed that the White House has been informed that military readiness for potential action could be achieved as early as this weekend. This follows a substantial accumulation of air and naval resources in the Middle East. Nonetheless, Trump has yet to make a definitive choice, privately considering arguments both in favour of and against military engagement, while consulting various advisors and allies.

On Wednesday, senior officials from national security convened in the White House Situation Room to deliberate the current state of affairs. Trump received a briefing from his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, as well as his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, regarding indirect talks with Iran that transpired a day prior in Geneva. The discussions lasted over three hours but did not yield significant breakthroughs. Iran's chief negotiator indicated agreements on “guiding principles,” while US officials noted that key details are still unsettled.

Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, mentioned that Iran is expected to provide clarity on its negotiating stance in the forthcoming weeks. She emphasised that while diplomacy remains Trump’s preferred method, military action is still an option. “There are many reasons one could argue for a strike,” she stated, underscoring that Trump relies heavily on his national security team’s assessments.

Amid growing US military pressure, Iran is reportedly reinforcing its nuclear facilities by encasing critical sites in concrete and large volumes of soil. This analysis has been provided by the Institute for Science and International Security through recent satellite imagery.

The Wall Street Journal has reported that Trump has been briefed on numerous military strategies as the US implements its most substantial air power deployment to the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq invasion. This includes advanced fighter jets, such as F-35s and F-22s, which are being repositioned alongside command and control aircraft. Additionally, the USS Gerald Ford, a second aircraft carrier, is on its way to the region, increasing the naval presence to 13 warships, including the initial aircraft carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln.

Officials have conveyed that the military options available to Trump range from targeted strikes on Iran’s nuclear installations to an extensive campaign aimed at toppling the Iranian government by targeting multiple leaders. The potential duration of either option could span several weeks.

The USS Gerald Ford carrier strike group is expected to reach the region by this weekend, while US Air Force tankers and fighter jets continue to be relocated closer to the Middle East, as reported by CNN.

According to Axios, US officials anticipate that any military intervention would likely be a prolonged effort, potentially conducted in coordination with Israel and exceeding the scope of last year’s 12-day Israeli-led military operation. One White House official has placed the likelihood of military action in the coming weeks at 90 per cent amid escalating tensions and concerns that such hostilities could evolve into a more extensive conflict, despite ongoing diplomatic initiatives.

As military assets are mobilised and diplomatic efforts yield limited progress, the forthcoming days are expected to be crucial in assessing Washington's approach towards Tehran. While Trump continues to contemplate various options, officials recognise that the opportunity for a diplomatic resolution is diminishing, raising the possibility of a standoff characterised by heightened pressure and posturing leading into a more perilous and drawn-out conflict.