The United States military is prepared to launch a major offensive against Iran within 96 hours of receiving authorization from President Donald Trump, according to U.S. officials, as Israel presses Washington to join a coordinated operation aimed at delivering a decisive blow to Tehran’s military capabilities.
Two American officials told CNN that preparations are sufficiently advanced to allow U.S. forces to begin operations within four days of a presidential order, according to The Jerusalem Post.
Although Trump has not made a final decision, officials indicated that any renewed offensive would be substantially larger than previous strikes, targeting Iranian military infrastructure beyond missile launchers and radar installations that Tehran could quickly replace.
Israeli officials have reportedly been preparing their own military options while lobbying Washington to participate in a joint operation. However, the Trump administration has urged Israel to delay military action, potentially until after the November 3 U.S. midterm elections.
The growing threat of renewed conflict comes as both countries approach consequential elections.
Israelis head to the polls Tuesday, October 27, while Americans vote in congressional midterm elections the following week.
According to Israel Hayom, citing reporting by The New York Times, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could consider ordering another strike against Iran even if he loses the election, believing a successor might hesitate to undertake such an operation.
However, Netanyahu’s office rejected separate reports that he had sought military action immediately before Israel’s election. Defense Minister Israel Katz also denied that Israel intended to initiate an attack before voting, while warning that Israel would respond forcefully to Iranian aggression.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan dispatched senior officials to Tehran on Monday in an effort to prevent another regional war.
According to Reuters and the Associated Press, the diplomatic initiative seeks to reopen negotiations between Washington and Tehran and reduce tensions across the Middle East.
Iran has signaled that diplomatic channels remain open, although significant disagreements persist over American demands and the future of the Strait of Hormuz.
The latest confrontation follows the U.S.-Israeli military campaign launched February 28, which inflicted extensive damage on Iranian military infrastructure but failed to produce a lasting settlement.
With American forces positioned for another major offensive, Israeli military planners preparing for renewed confrontation, and regional governments scrambling to prevent escalation, the coming weeks could prove decisive in determining whether the Middle East returns to full-scale war.
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