‘Ready to strike Iran within 96 hours’: US forces await Trump's nod

American forces deployed in the Middle East are prepared to launch major military operations against Iran within 96 hours of receiving an order from President Donald Trump, according to a media report, even as the White House has yet to take a final decision on renewing strikes.

CNN, citing two US officials, reported on Wednesday that sufficient American military assets were already positioned in the region to undertake a large-scale offensive. The Pentagon and US Central Command have prepared options extending beyond limited attacks on Iranian radar installations and missile launchers to include energy infrastructure, military installations and nuclear facilities.

One official familiar with the preparations described the potential operation as a major undertaking, indicating that military planners were preparing for a wider campaign should Trump authorise renewed hostilities.

The preparations come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, with US intelligence agencies warning that further attacks could trigger Iranian and Houthi retaliation against American personnel and facilities, potentially extending beyond the Middle East.

𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗽 𝘆𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹

Despite the military's operational readiness, Trump has not authorised a new offensive. Current and former US officials familiar with the planning believe a decision could come before the end of the year, with the period following the November 3 US midterm elections being considered a possible window.

Officials cautioned, however, that the President had previously appeared inclined towards military action before reconsidering his position, making the timing and likelihood of another offensive uncertain.

A senior Pentagon official, responding to questions about the preparations, said the department's responsibility was to develop and execute military options ordered by the President.

The reported plans indicate that Washington is keeping military options available while diplomatic efforts to resolve the confrontation remain uncertain.

𝗜𝗿𝗮𝗻, 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲

US intelligence assessments have raised concerns that Iran and Yemen's Houthi movement could respond rapidly if American or Israeli forces launch another round of attacks.

According to officials familiar with the assessments, potential retaliation could target American personnel and facilities across the Middle East and possibly extend to other countries.

An October 23 intelligence memorandum from Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Iran had intensified efforts to target US personnel. The reported assessment indicated that preparations for possible attacks had reached advanced stages in the Middle East and elsewhere.

However, intelligence officials reportedly assessed that Iran and the Houthis were unlikely to initiate attacks against American personnel or Israel under present circumstances, although that assessment could change following renewed military action.

𝗜𝘀𝗿𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲

The report also suggested that Israel had sought American backing for a joint offensive against Iran before its parliamentary elections, but Trump had declined to approve the proposal.

An Israeli security source claimed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had attempted to persuade Trump to authorise the operation before polling. Netanyahu's office rejected the account as "fake news."

According to the source, Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir had warned US Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman General Dan Caine that an attack could disrupt the electoral process and potentially force the postponement of voting.

Senior American officials reportedly urged Israel to defer further strikes while leaving open the possibility of coordinated military operations at a later stage.

𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻

Israel's reliance on American missile defence support was another factor influencing its decision to delay military action, according to a source briefed on the discussions.

Israeli interceptor supplies have reportedly come under pressure during the prolonged conflict, making American assistance important in the event of another Iranian or Houthi missile offensive.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu said at a military graduation ceremony this week that he had instructed Israel's armed forces, Mossad and other security agencies to pursue the overthrow of Iran's government.

The developments have raised the prospect of renewed regional hostilities, although the existence of military preparations does not mean an attack has been authorised.

For now, the decision rests with Trump, whose administration continues to weigh military options against the possibility of further diplomatic engagement.