The US military is poised to strike Iran this weekend, sources familiar with the matter told CNN, although President Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision on whether he would authorize such actions.
The sources said the White House has been told that forces could be ready to strike by the weekend, following a significant increase in air and naval assets in the Middle East in recent days. But one source cautioned that Trump has privately argued for and against military action and has asked advisers and aides what the best course of action is.
Top administration national security officials met in the White House Situation Room on Wednesday to discuss the situation in Iran, a person familiar with the meeting said. Trump was also briefed on Wednesday by special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner about their indirect talks with Iran the day before. It was unclear whether Trump would make a decision by the weekend.
“He’s spending a lot of time thinking about it,” a source said.
America was prepared to attack by the weekend First reported by CBS News.
Iranian and US negotiators passed notes during three-and-a-half hours of indirect talks in Geneva on Tuesday, although they left without any clear resolution. Iran’s top negotiator said the two sides had agreed on “a set of guiding principles”, although a US official said “there are still many details left to discuss.”
White House press secretary Carolyn Leavitt said Wednesday that Iran is expected to provide more details on its negotiating position “in the next few weeks,” but she would not say whether Trump would halt military action within that timeframe. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to travel to Israel on February 28 to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and brief him on Iran talks, a State Department official told CNN on Wednesday.
“I’m not going to set deadlines on behalf of the President of the United States,” Leavitt said.
He said that although diplomacy is always his first option, military action remains on the table.
“There could be many reasons and rationale for a strike against Iran,” he said, adding that Trump was relying “first and foremost” on the advice of his national security team.
The opaque statements have raised fears of military conflict between the two countries – even as officials apparently hope for diplomacy. The USS Gerald Ford – the most advanced carrier group in the US arsenal – could arrive in the region later this week, following other military build-ups. US Air Force assets based in the United Kingdom, including refueling tankers and fighter jets, are being moved closer to the Middle East, according to sources familiar with the activities.
Iran is strengthening many of its nuclear facilities by using concrete and large quantities of soil to bury key sites amid US military pressure, according to new satellite imagery and analysis from the Institute for Science and International Security.
Several calendar events may play a role in the timing of an attack. The Winter Olympics – traditionally a moment of global unity – end on Sunday; Some European officials said they believed there would be no strikes before then. Meanwhile, Ramzan started on Wednesday; Some officials from US allies in the Middle East – who have lobbied against the attack out of fear of regional instability – said the attack during the Muslim holy month would express American disrespect. And Trump is giving his annual State of the Union address on Tuesday; Aides have said it is likely to serve as a prelude to Trump’s midterm year messaging on domestic issues. It was not clear whether the President was taking any of these events into account when considering his options.
Trump, in his statements on Iran over the past weeks, has made little effort to garner support from the American public or Congress for a major military operation in the country. He has indicated a desire for regime change, and has insisted that Iran not acquire nuclear weapons, but has not explained what his motives would be in ordering the attack.
This story has been updated with additional reporting.