SUMMARY
- Military assets, including fighter jets and carrier strike groups, are prepared for action.
- Indirect talks between US and Iranian officials continue in Geneva.
- Allies such as Israel are monitoring developments amid potential escalation.
WASHINGTON/GENEVA, Switzerland — US military officials say forces could be ready to conduct a US military strike Iran as early as this weekend, but President Donald Trump has yet to authorize any action, according to senior officials familiar with the matter.
Pentagon sources report that naval and air assets have been repositioned across the Middle East over the past week. Trump has been briefed repeatedly but remains undecided, weighing military, political and diplomatic considerations.
The United States is navigating a delicate balance between military readiness and ongoing diplomatic efforts with Iran.
Senior officials say US forces in the Middle East could act within days if ordered, though discussions continue in Switzerland to prevent armed conflict.
Since January, Washington has significantly increased its presence in the Persian Gulf, deploying additional aircraft, tankers and naval assets.
Satellite imagery shows two carrier strike groups, including the USS Gerald R. Ford, operating near Iran, accompanied by more than 50 fighter jets.
Iran has responded by fortifying key facilities and conducting military drills near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments.
These actions coincide with indirect nuclear negotiations between the two nations, which have so far produced only broad agreements on principles, without resolving major disputes.
Foreign policy experts emphasize that the current stance reflects a dual approach applying pressure while leaving room for negotiation.
“Positioning significant military assets in the region is as much about signaling and leverage as it is about readiness to act,” said Dr. Emily Carter, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Col. James Harrington (ret.), a former Pentagon adviser now at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said.
“If a strike occurs, initial operations might target Iran’s missile and air defense infrastructure, but the risk of escalation must be carefully considered.”
Analysts warn that a strike could disrupt regional stability and global energy markets, especially if shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is affected.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said diplomacy remains the first priority, but all options, including military action, remain on the table.
Iranian negotiator Abbas Araghchi said discussions in Geneva had yielded a set of guiding principles but acknowledged that significant differences remain.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered emergency preparedness measures, citing heightened regional risk.
Washington is weighing several scenarios, including limited strikes targeting military or nuclear infrastructure, or continuing negotiations.
International partners are urging caution and emphasizing diplomacy to avoid wider conflict.
Officials say any decision in the coming days will be closely coordinated with US allies and take into account political and strategic considerations, as well as potential global market impacts.
US forces remain poised, and diplomatic channels continue to operate, leaving the situation highly fluid.
The decision whether to execute a US military strike Iran will have far reaching implications for Middle East security and international relations.
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