The United States is reportedly laying the groundwork for a possible military strike on Iran in the coming days, with preparations said to be underway for potential action over the weekend.
Senior figures involved in the deliberations suggest that plans are evolving, and while no final order has been issued, a decision could be made swiftly should the situation demand it.
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump is believed to have approved a military option targeting Iran but withheld the final go-ahead, as he considered whether Tehran might still meet certain conditions.
Speaking outside the White House on Wednesday, Trump said, “I may do it. I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do.” He added, “I like to make the final decision one second before it’s due because things change, especially with war.”
Inside the Oval Office, Trump criticised Iran over the collapse of nuclear negotiations. “They should have made that deal,” he said. “In the end, they decided not to do it. And now they wish they did it.”
When asked about threats from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Trump responded tersely, “Good luck.” He reaffirmed his position: “We cannot let Iran get a nuclear weapon. I’ve been saying it for a long time. I mean it more now than I ever mentioned.”
Iran, for its part, has responded defiantly. Khamenei warned that “any military incursion by the United States will undoubtedly result in irreparable damage.” Iranian officials have also indicated they could target American bases across the Middle East if Washington enters the fray.
Tens of thousands of US troops are currently deployed across the region, including in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq.
Also read: Khamenei warns US of irreparable damage
Trump has so far refrained from deploying American forces directly, though he has encouraged Israel to press forward with its military campaign. Since last Friday, missile exchanges between Iran and Israel have intensified. Tehran has reportedly launched over 400 ballistic missiles and drones, resulting in at least 24 deaths and more than 800 injuries in Israel.
In retaliation, Israeli airstrikes have targeted over 20 sites in and around Tehran, reportedly killing 224 people and damaging facilities associated with missile and nuclear development.
Although Trump has not ruled out talks with Tehran, he indicated that prospects for diplomacy are dimming. “It’s very late to be talking,” he said. “There’s a big difference between now and a week ago.” He also claimed Iran had sought a meeting — a claim rejected by Iranian authorities.
In a recent social media post, the US President demanded Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.” Yet in public remarks, he maintained a deliberately opaque stance: “Nobody knows what I’m going to do.”
Meanwhile, European diplomats are scrambling to salvage the situation. Foreign ministers from Britain, France, and Germany are expected to meet their Iranian counterpart in Geneva on Friday for last-ditch talks aimed at preventing further escalation.
As military assets are repositioned and diplomatic avenues narrow, the possibility of a dramatic escalation remains high, with all eyes on Washington.
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