The US military is preparing for the possibility of sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran if President Donald Trump orders an attack, two US officials tells Reuters, in what could become a far more serious conflict than previously seen between the countries.
The disclosure by the officials, who speak on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the planning, raises the stakes for the diplomacy underway between the United States and Iran.
Asked for comment on the preparations for a potentially sustained US military operation, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly says: “President Trump has all options on the table with regard to Iran.”
“He listens to a variety of perspectives on any given issue, but makes the final decision based on what is best for our country and national security,” Kelly says.
The Pentagon declines to comment.
The United States sent two aircraft carriers to the region last year, when it carried out strikes against Iranian nuclear sites.
However, June’s “Midnight Hammer” operation was essentially a one-off US attack, with stealth bombers flying from the United States to strike Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran staged a very limited retaliatory strike on a US base in Qatar.
The planning underway this time is more complex, the officials say.
In a sustained campaign, the US military could hit Iranian state and security facilities, not just nuclear infrastructure, one of the officials says. The official declines to provide specific detail.
Experts say the risks to US forces would be far greater in such an operation against Iran, which boasts a formidable arsenal of missiles. Retaliatory Iranian strikes also increase the risk of a regional conflict.
The same official says the United States fully expects Iran to retaliate, leading to back-and-forth strikes and reprisals over a period of time.
The White House and Pentagon don’t respond to questions about the risks of retaliation or regional conflict.
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