Reuters: US preparing for weeks-long operations against Iran

The United States is preparing for the possibility of sustained, weeks-long military operations against Iran if President Donald Trump orders an attack, according to two U.S. officials cited by Reuters, signalling a potential escalation far beyond previous confrontations between the two countries.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the planning, said the Pentagon is considering options that would go beyond limited strikes on nuclear facilities and could target Iranian state and security infrastructure in a prolonged campaign. They added that Washington fully expects Tehran to retaliate, potentially triggering a cycle of back-and-forth strikes and raising the risk of wider regional conflict.

The disclosure comes as diplomatic efforts continue. U.S. and Iranian representatives held talks in Oman last week in an attempt to revive negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme. The discussions follow a significant U.S. military buildup in the region.

On February 13, U.S. officials confirmed that the Pentagon was deploying an additional aircraft carrier to the Middle East, along with thousands of troops, fighter aircraft and guided-missile destroyers. The move adds to existing U.S. firepower capable of conducting offensive strikes and defending against missile threats.

Speaking to U.S. troops in North Carolina the same day, Trump acknowledged difficulties in reaching a deal with Tehran. “Sometimes you have to have fear. That’s the only thing that really will get the situation taken care of,” he said.

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said “all options” remain on the table regarding Iran, stressing that the president would make a final decision based on U.S. national security interests. The Pentagon declined to comment on operational details.

Last year, the United States carried out a limited strike dubbed “Midnight Hammer,” in which stealth bombers flew from the U.S. to hit Iranian nuclear facilities. Tehran responded with a limited retaliatory strike against a U.S. base in Qatar.

Officials indicated that the current planning envisions a more complex and potentially broader campaign. Military experts warn that such an operation would carry significant risks, as Iran possesses a substantial missile arsenal and has the capacity to target U.S. bases across the Middle East, including in Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned that any attack on Iranian territory would prompt retaliation against U.S. military installations in the region.

The issue was also discussed during talks in Washington on February 11 between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said any agreement with Iran must include elements vital to Israel’s security.

Tehran has signalled readiness to discuss limits on its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief, but has ruled out negotiations over its ballistic missile capabilities.

By Vugar Khalilov