The Pentagon instructed US Central Command to complete preparations for a possible resumption of major combat operations in Iran, according to US officials.
However, military action could take place before the US midterm elections, and potentially before the Israeli elections, which are scheduled a week earlier, Axios reported citing US and Israeli sources. The directive did not set a specific date for any strikes, and President Donald Trump has yet to make a final decision. “The US is in a very strong position with control of the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian economy collapsing.
“The Department’s job is to develop and present military options to the President,” a Pentagon official told Axios. A White House official said Trump has all options available at any time. Iran has been decimated, and things will go one of two ways: the easy way or the hard way,” the official said. “President Trump holds all the cards and will do whatever is best for the United States,” he added. An Israeli official told Axios that the meeting included discussions on the possibility of resuming major combat operations in Iran. However, another Israeli official said that the chances of resumption of Iran war before US midterms are not high but can’t be ruled out.
US President Donald Trump has not made a final decision yet on whether to launch fresh strikes, Axios reported, citing US officials. Earlier reporting noted: Axios reported that negotiations have stalled, while a separate meeting of Trump’s senior national-security team at Camp David last week focused on the Iran war and the escalating Saudi-Houthi conflict in Yemen. The meeting was chaired by Vice President JD Vance and included senior US defence, intelligence, diplomatic and economic officials. If fighting resumes, US and Israeli forces are expected to operate in tandem, while Israeli officials believe Iran could retaliate with ballistic-missile attacks against Israel.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said after the meeting that the discussions centred on “long-term” foreign policy planning.
Earlier reporting noted: The Pentagon has instructed the US central command (CENTCOM) to complete preparations for a possible resumption of major combat operations against Iran. Earlier reporting noted: Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have spoken twice in recent days.
