RT
This week is set to become one of the most intense periods in the course of the US-Iran confrontation. A combination of military, political, and psychological factors points to the alarming possibility of a direct US strike against Iran in the coming days.
A key indicator of this is that the military preparations for a potential strike have been completed. On Sunday, it became known that the US Navy’s USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group had entered the Middle East region, and is located at a distance from which it can launch strikes on Iranian territory. From a military perspective, this shift means the US is moving from a phase of political pressure to one of operational readiness, where a decision to strike could be executed within hours.
Tehran’s reaction has been strong and unequivocal. The Iranian leadership has warned of a high probability of war breaking out at any moment, and stated that “the Persian Gulf could erupt” within the next 24 hours. This is not mere emotional rhetoric, but a clear stance: Iran is signaling that an American strike will be viewed as the start of a full-scale war, not as a limited operation. The Iranian armed forces are on heightened alert, and the country is preparing for the worst.
Another sign of preparation for a military response comes from the closed-door talks between the US and Israel. According to Israeli sources, Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, held overnight discussions with senior Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) officials. During these talks, the Americans indicated that while no final political decision has been made regarding a strike, all military preparations for it have been completed. Meanwhile, Israeli commanders are operating under the assumption that an attack could occur imminently.
The selection of targets has been particularly emphasized. Israel expects that potential US strikes will primarily focus on facilities associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij structures.
This approach aims to reduce the likelihood of an immediate strike on the central government and, as officials in West Jerusalem believe, limit the scale of any retaliatory actions from Tehran. However, there is no certainty when it comes to such calculations. In Tehran, the IRGC is not merely a military force but a cornerstone of the entire political system; attacks on it would inevitably be interpreted as assaults on the state itself.
Particular attention is being drawn to the potential date of the strike. There’s a strong likelihood that it could occur on February 1 or shortly before that date. This date carries symbolic weight – something that Trump usually considers when making decisions. February 1 marks the anniversary of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s return to Iran 46 years ago, when he declared the establishment of a new state and effectively ended the monarchy. For the Islamic Republic, this date holds significant meaning and is a cornerstone of the regime’s legitimacy.
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