The U.S. television channel CNN, citing two informed American officials, reported that the United States is planning new strikes on Iran as early as the coming weekend. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has prepared several military options and put its forces on heightened readiness. Among the scenarios under discussion is a large-scale campaign lasting up to two weeks, aimed at Iranian missile sites.
The plans also include strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, including the “Mount Fase” facility south of Tehran, although the preparation is not limited to this location. At the same time, the Donald Trump administration is taking a cautious approach to strikes on Iranian energy assets: Washington fears that Tehran could retaliate by targeting facilities in countries of the Persian Gulf, which would trigger a new round of instability in global energy markets.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz previously said his country would like to strike Iran’s energy infrastructure to increase economic pressure on Tehran, but the United States currently does not support such a move. There are no signs that Israel would join a possible new U.S. operation. On Friday, Trump, during a meeting of the cabinet, again threatened to resume intensive strikes, expressing dissatisfaction with diplomatic efforts. In the White House, they said the president would not “sit back and allow this terrorist behavior to continue,” but the exact timing and targets of the strikes remain unclear— the operation could also be canceled.
Full version: CNN: Washington is preparing sweeping strikes on Iran at the end of the week