US officials: US military prepares for weeks of ongoing military operations against Iran if necessary
The US military is preparing for the possibility of weeks of continuous military operations against Iran, if necessary, according to US officials.
According to the officials, the preparations include plans for extended operations in the event of a failure of the diplomatic track or further escalation of tensions, in an indication of the seriousness of the options on the table within the US administration.
The preparations include plans for extended operations in the event of a failure of the diplomatic track or further escalation of tensions, in an indication of the seriousness of the options on the table within the US administration.
Two US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of military planning, said the ongoing preparations reflected a scenario for long-term operations, raising the level of risks surrounding the existing diplomatic track between Washington and Tehran.
The developments follow talks held by US and Iranian diplomats in Oman last week in a bid to revive negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program, following a massive US military buildup in the region that raised fears of new military action.
US officials confirmed that the Pentagon has decided to send an additional aircraft carrier to the Middle East, including thousands of troops, fighter jets and guided-missile destroyers, as well as advanced offensive and defense capabilities.
In a speech to US soldiers at a military base in North Carolina, Trump acknowledged that “reaching a deal with Iran has been difficult,” adding, “sometimes there has to be fear… This is the only thing that can really address the situation”.
