The renewed preparations come as the US and Israel face the prospect of Iranian retaliation if hostilities resume
US forces in the Middle East are prepared to launch potentially major military operations against Iran within 96 hours of receiving an order from President Donald Trump, with sufficient military assets now deployed in the region to carry out the attacks, CNN reported, citing two US officials.The preparations come amid growing indications that Washington could resume large-scale combat operations against Tehran, despite uncertainty over Trump's final decision and continuing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. The potential targets include Iranian energy infrastructure, military installations and nuclear facilities, according to CNN.“It will be a big effort,” one of the officials told CNN, describing the scale of the potential operation.
The planned strikes could go beyond the limited attacks on Iranian radars, missile launchers and other military assets that can be quickly rebuilt, which have characterised US operations since Trump halted full combat operations earlier this year.Several current and former US officials familiar with internal military planning believe the question is increasingly when, rather than whether, Trump will authorise renewed military action, CNN reported.
Some believe an order could come before the end of the year, although the period after the November 3 US midterm elections is considered more likely.The renewed preparations come as the US and Israel face the prospect of Iranian retaliation if hostilities resume.
Recent US intelligence assessments indicate that Tehran and Yemen's Houthi rebels are taking the possibility of fresh attacks seriously, according to sources familiar with the assessments cited by CNN.Iran and the Houthis could respond immediately by targeting American personnel and facilities across the region, with the possibility of attacks extending beyond the Middle East, the sources told Israeli news portal Ynet.An October 23 memo from Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio said US intelligence had found that Iran had substantially increased efforts to target American personnel, with plotting efforts reaching advanced stages in the Middle East and other countries, CNN previously reported.US intelligence officials believe Tehran and the Houthis are unlikely to launch pre-emptive attacks at present but would retaliate if American or Israeli forces strike Iran first.The developments follow Trump's recent remarks suggesting that Washington could resume military operations if negotiations fail.