The US military is poised to strike as early as this weekend (2/21-22), although the president has yet to make a final decision on whether to authorize such action, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The White House has been told that the military could be ready to attack by the weekend, following a major air and naval buildup in recent days in . But one source cautioned that Trump has privately argued both for and against military action and has consulted advisers and allies on the best course of action.
The administration’s top national security officials met Wednesday in the Situation Room of the White House to discuss the situation in Iran.
On the same day, Trump was also briefed by special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, about their indirect talks with Iran that had taken place a day earlier. It was unclear whether Trump would make a decision by the weekend.
“He spends a lot of time thinking about this issue,” a source said. The readiness of the USA to strike Iran by the weekend was first reported by CBS News.
Iranian and American negotiators walked away from indirect talks in Geneva without a clear outcome. Iran’s chief negotiator said the two sides had agreed on a “set of guiding principles”, while a US official said “there are still many details to be discussed”.
White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt said Wednesday that Iran is expected to provide more details on its negotiating position “in the next couple of weeks,” but did not specify whether Trump would refrain from military action during that time.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to travel to Israel on February 28 to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and brief him on talks with Iran, according to a State Department official who spoke to CNN.
“I’m not going to set deadlines on behalf of the president of the United States,” Leavitt said. He added that while “diplomacy is always his first choice,” military action remains on the table.
“There are many reasons and arguments that one could make for a strike against Iran,” he said, adding that Trump is relying “first and foremost” on the advice of the national security team.
Fears are growing
Those vague statements have fueled growing fears of a military conflict between the two countries, even as officials appear to hold out hope for diplomacy.
The USS Gerald Ford, the most advanced aircraft carrier in the US arsenal – could arrive in the region as early as this weekend, following a series of other military reinforcements. UK-based US Air Force assets, including aerial refueling aircraft and fighters, are moving closer to the Middle East, according to sources familiar with the moves.
For its part, Iran is beefing up the protection of several of its nuclear facilities, using concrete and large amounts of soil to cover critical points, amid US military pressure, according to new satellite data and an analysis by the Institute for Science and International Security.
What events might put the brakes on Trump?
Certain calendar events may affect the timing of an attack.
The Winter Olympics – traditionally a moment of global unity – conclude on Sunday; some European officials have said they think a strike is unlikely before then.
At the same time, the Ramadan started on wednesday. Officials from US allies in the Middle East – who have opposed an attack, fearing regional destabilization – said a strike during the Muslim holy month would send a message of US disrespect.
In addition, Trump is speaking his annual State of the Nation address on Tuesday, which aides say will likely mark the start of his political message ahead of the midterm elections. It is unclear whether the president is taking any of these facts into account as he weighs his options.
In his remarks on Iran in recent weeks, Trump has done little to secure support from the American public or Congress for a large-scale military operation. He has hinted that he wants regime change and has insisted that Iran must not acquire a nuclear weapon, but has not specified exactly what the targets of an order to strike would be.
