The U.S. military is reportedly ready to launch a large-scale military operation against Iran within 96 hours of an order from President Donald Trump. The timing of the attack is speculated to be after the U.S. midterm elections next month, with Iran and Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels also preparing for potential retaliation.
On October 26, CNN cited two U.S. officials stating that sufficient troops are already deployed in the Middle East, and the new military operation would exceed the scale of previous limited airstrikes. The U.S. Central Command and the Department of Defense are said to be compiling a list of targets, including Iran's energy infrastructure, military facilities, and nuclear sites.
The U.S. and Israel initiated a large-scale military operation against Iran's nuclear and military facilities on February 28. Although a ceasefire was reached in April and a tentative agreement was made in June, tensions have persisted due to the collapse of that agreement and ongoing limited skirmishes.
Even after halting large-scale operations, the U.S. military has targeted Iranian radar and missile launchers that can be quickly repaired. However, the operation currently under consideration is expected to involve a much broader range of attacks.
CNN reported that among current and former U.S. officials familiar with military planning, there is a growing belief that President Trump's order for an attack is a matter of time. Some officials predict that an attack could occur within the year, particularly after the midterm elections on November 3.
Meanwhile, U.S. forces are assessing their military readiness in the Strait of Hormuz. On October 25, U.S. Central Command Commander Brad Cooper visited the strait by helicopter to review operational conditions. Cooper stated that the visit demonstrates a firm commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
While the number of oil tankers passing through the strait under U.S. control has increased, oil prices remain high. One U.S. official noted that the difficulty of sustaining this situation is one reason the U.S. is considering military action.
If attacks against Iran resume, there is speculation that they could be conducted in coordination with Israel. According to CNN, Israel has recently sought U.S. support for additional strikes against Iran. Although President Trump and other U.S. leaders have requested a delay in initiating attacks, they have hinted at the possibility of joint operations in the future. However, the Israeli Prime Minister's office denied reports that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested an attack from the U.S.
Iran and the Houthi rebels are also reportedly preparing for retaliation in response to the potential renewed U.S. and Israeli attacks. Sources familiar with recent assessments by U.S. intelligence agencies indicated that if a new military operation begins, Iran and the Houthis are likely to target U.S. personnel and facilities in the Middle East and beyond for immediate response.
Earlier, Jay Clayton, the Director of the U.S. National Intelligence, warned in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on October 23 that Iran has significantly increased its activities targeting U.S. personnel, with related plans advancing considerably in the Middle East and some other countries.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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