The United States is preparing for the possibility of military strikes on Iran as early as this weekend, though President Donald Trump has not made a final decision, according to multiple media reports. The situation has escalated global concern, as diplomatic efforts continue alongside a significant American military buildup in the Middle East.
According to C.N.N., the U.S. military has been briefed that it could be ready to launch strikes within days, following the repositioning of air and naval assets in the region. One source told C.N.N. that Trump has privately argued both for and against military action and is “spending a lot of time thinking about this.” The White House Situation Room hosted a meeting of top national security officials on Wednesday to assess options. C.N.N. also reported that indirect talks between U.S. and Iranian negotiators in Geneva lasted more than three hours but ended without a clear resolution.
B.B.C. reported that the White House pressed Iran to reach an agreement, warning that Tehran would be wise to make a deal. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged that while diplomacy is Trump’s first option, military action remains on the table. The B.B.C. noted that although some progress was reported during indirect talks in Switzerland, U.S. officials said Washington and Tehran remain “very far apart” on key issues. B.B.C. also confirmed the presence of the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier near Iran, while other reports indicate that the U.S.S. Gerald R Ford, the world’s largest warship, is also going.
According to Al Jazeera, Iran and Russia announced joint naval drills in the Sea of Oman. The drills, says Iranian Rear Admiral Hassan Maqsoudlou, are intended to deter “any unilateral action” in the region. Al Jazeera also noted that U.S. officials have demanded that Iran forgo uranium enrichment on its soil, while Tehran insists on highlighting that the nuclear program is peaceful and rejects zero enrichment demands.
The Guardian reported that multiple outlets, including The New York Times and C.B.S. News, indicated the U.S. military has assembled sufficient resources to launch strikes in the coming days. However, Reuters cited a senior U.S. official suggesting that preparations may extend beyond this weekend. The Guardian also noted that dozens of refueling tankers and more than 50 additional fighter jets have been moved into the region.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei posted an AI-generated image depicting a U.S. aircraft carrier at the bottom of the ocean, accompanied by a warning that more dangerous than a warship is the weapon that could sink it. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that any new U.S. strike would have serious consequences. Speaking to Saudi Arabia’s AI-Arabiya television, Lavrov said escalating tensions would be “playing with fire”.
Despite military preparations, diplomacy remains ongoing. According to the B.B.C., Iran is expected to provide further details on its negotiating position in the coming weeks. However, White House officials declined to set any firm deadline for a deal.
With Aircraft carriers positioned, troops deployed, and negotiations unresolved, tension builds. President Trump emphasized wanting diplomacy to resolve, but the substantial military buildup signals that the option of force remains under serious consideration.
