The United States’ forces stationed across the Middle East are prepared to launch fresh, potentially large-scale military operations against Iran with Washington weighing a broader and more sustained campaign beyond targeting radars, missile launchers and other military infrastructures that Tehran can rapidly rebuild, CNN sources have indicated.
President Trump has not made a final decision on whether to carry out new strikes against Iran, the diplomats stressed. Last week, Trump hinted at US military operations against Iran if the latter failed to come to a diplomatic agreement aimed at restricting Tehran’s nuclear programme. Addressing a campaign rally in Florida last Friday, he also mentioned his previous national security decisions and took potshots at the Iranian leadership.
“It will be a big effort,” a US official told CNN. The sources added that the US will carry out strikes “within 96 hours of receiving an order” from President Donald Trump. Washington has already deployed sufficient military assets to the region to carry out the possible strikes, according to two US officials. “We may do another little Epic Fury, or they’ll agree,” Trump said as reported by Fox News.
The planned campaign could mark a significant escalation in the war against beyond the limited strikes conducted since Trump suspended full-scale combat operations earlier this year.
