The U.S. military is preparing for the possibility of sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran if President Donald Trump authorizes military action, according to two U.S. officials who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the planning. The disclosure comes as U.S. and Iranian diplomats recently held discussions in Oman aimed at reviving diplomacy over Tehran’s nuclear program. U.S. officials stated that the Pentagon is deploying an additional aircraft carrier to the Middle East, alongside thousands of troops, fighter aircraft, guided-missile destroyers, and other assets capable of both offensive and defensive operations. Speaking to U.S. service members at a base in North Carolina, President Trump indicated that reaching a deal with Iran had proven difficult and suggested that pressure could be necessary to resolve the situation. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told Reuters that the president retained all options regarding Iran and that he evaluates multiple perspectives before making decisions centered on national security. The Pentagon declined to comment publicly. Last year, the United States dispatched two aircraft carriers to the region during strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, including June’s “Midnight Hammer” operation, which involved stealth bombers flying from the United States to target nuclear facilities. In response, Iran carried out a limited retaliatory strike on a U.S. base in Qatar.
Rising Regional Security Risks as Diplomatic and Military Tracks Advance in Parallel
Officials indicated that the current planning is more complex than prior actions and could extend beyond nuclear infrastructure to include Iranian state and security facilities, though no operational details were provided. Experts cited by Reuters assessed that the risks to U.S. forces would be significantly higher in any prolonged campaign, given Iran’s substantial missile capabilities and the potential for sustained retaliatory exchanges. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have warned that strikes on Iranian territory could prompt responses against U.S. military bases across the Middle East, where American forces are stationed in countries including Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met President Trump in Washington and emphasized that any agreement with Iran must address elements considered vital to Israel’s security. Iranian officials have stated that Tehran remains willing to discuss limits on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief but has ruled out linking negotiations to its missile capabilities.