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Trump Orders Preparations for Major Operations in Iran
The U.S. Department of War (the Pentagon) instructed U.S. Central Command several days ago to complete preparations for the possible resumption of major military operations in Iran, the news outlet Axios reported, citing U.S. officials.
The officials said the instructions did not specify a date for any strikes and that U.S. President Donald Trump had made no final decision on the matter. Meanwhile, U.S. and Israeli sources indicated that the operations could take place before the U.S. midterm elections, and possibly before the Israeli elections, which are scheduled for a week earlier.
According to the sources, any forthcoming military operations could involve intensive strikes on Iran’s energy facilities, infrastructure, and nuclear sites. Axios also reported that a resumption of the war within the next three or four weeks could affect the midterm elections, partly because of the potential for oil prices to rise.
A Pentagon official told the outlet that the department’s mission is to prepare military options and present them to the president. A White House official, meanwhile, said all options remain available to Trump, adding that the United States is in a strong position and that Iran’s economy is undergoing a sharp decline.
The official added that Iran had sustained significant damage and that the next course of action could be “the easy way or the hard way,” stressing that Trump has the necessary options and will take the action he believes is best for the United States.
