US military prepared to strike Iran as early as this weekend
Top national security officials of the Trump administration reportedly met in the White House situation room on Wednesday to discuss the situation.
Amid growing fears of a war breaking out in the Middle East, the US military is reportedly ready to strike Iran as early as this weekend, though President Donald Trump has yet to take a final call on approving such actions.
The White House has been briefed that the military could be ready for an attack on Iran by the weekend, CNN reported. The latest development comes amid Washington significantly increasing its military presence in the Middle East, deploying air and naval assets.
Top national security officials of the Trump administration reportedly met in the White House situation room on Wednesday to discuss the situation. Additionally, the US President was also briefed by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
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However, it remains unclear whether Trump will make a decision on a strike against Iran by the weekend. "He is spending a lot of time thinking about this," CNN reported, citing a source on this matter.
Trump has been briefed on his military options against Tehran, with "all of them designed to maximise damage", including a campaign to "kill scores of Iranian political and military leaders, with the goal of overthrowing the government", the Wall Street Journal reported, citing an unnamed US official.
US military buildup in the Middle East
The Trump administration ordered a second aircraft carrier to the region, with the USS Abraham Lincoln and its nearly 80 aircraft already positioned about 700 kilometres from the Iranian coast as of Sunday.
The US Air Force is also reportedly repositioning its assets based in the United Kingdom, including refuelling tankers and fighter jets, to the Middle East, CNN reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.
