The Pentagon has been instructed to prepare for possible military actions against Iran, amid stalled diplomatic efforts.
US President Donald Trump has not made a final decision yet on whether to launch fresh strikes, Axios reported, citing US officials. Axios reported that negotiations have stalled, while a separate meeting of Trump’s senior national-security team at Camp David last week focused on the Iran war and the escalating Saudi-Houthi conflict in Yemen. Axios reported that US and Israeli officials are assessing the possibility of renewed operations before the elections, although an Israeli official said the chances of action before the polls are currently low and could rise after them.
The preparations could pave the way for a new US military campaign targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, energy infrastructure and other strategic sites, according to Axios. However, the report said no timeline for an attack has been set and the Pentagon’s preparations do not amount to a presidential order to begin strikes. The Pentagon has instructed the US central command (CENTCOM) to complete preparations for a possible resumption of major combat operations against Iran. The meeting was chaired by Vice President JD Vance and included senior US defence, intelligence, diplomatic and economic officials.
Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces launched a major offensive against the Iran-backed Houthis earlier this week, seeking to retake territory along the Red Sea coast and around the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The Saudi-led coalition subsequently said it had struck more than 80 Houthi targets in Yemen.
Three people were killed and dozens wounded in attacks on Abha and Riyadh’s King Khalid International airports, according to Saudi authorities cited by Reuters and AP. The Houthis have responded with missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia.
Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have spoken twice in recent days. If fighting resumes, US and Israeli forces are expected to operate in tandem, while Israeli officials believe Iran could retaliate with ballistic-missile attacks against Israel.