WorldPosted at: Oct 26 2026 7:21PM


US military ready for major potential strikes against Iran within 96hrs of receiving Trump's order

Washington, Oct 26 (UNI) US forces in West Asia are prepared to launch potentially major military operations against Iran within 96 hours of receiving an order from President Donald Trump, two US officials told CNN.
Their statement comes as Washington continues to weigh its next move following a halt in full-scale combat operations earlier this year, ahead of the approaching midterms and Israeli elections.
The officials said sufficient military assets were now deployed in the region to carry out the potential strikes. The operations could go beyond the limited attacks on Iranian radar systems, missile launchers and other assets that can be quickly rebuilt, which have characterised US military action since Trump suspended full combat operations.
"It will be a big effort," one official told CNN.
Several current and former US officials familiar with military planning discussions believe a decision could come before the end of the year, most likely after the US midterm elections. However, they cautioned that Trump had previously appeared inclined towards military action before backing away at the last moment.
The president has not made a final decision, officials said, although some believe he is leaning towards a major operation. US Central Command and the Pentagon have drawn up a broad list of potential targets, including Iranian energy infrastructure, military installations and nuclear facilities. Officials also acknowledge that Iran's growing familiarity with US tactics could make it harder to destroy all intended targets.
The White House declined to comment. A senior Pentagon official told CNN: "The Department is a planning organisation, and its job is to develop and execute military options ordered by the President."
Recent US intelligence assessments indicate that Iran and Yemen's Houthi rebels are taking the prospect of renewed US attacks, potentially alongside Israel, seriously. If Washington and Israel launch further operations, Tehran and the Houthis could retaliate by targeting American personnel and facilities across the region and potentially beyond, according to sources familiar with the assessments.
An unclassified October 23 memo from Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio said US intelligence had found that "Iran has substantially increased efforts to target US personnel". The memo also warned that plotting efforts had "reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries", CNN previously reported.
US intelligence officials believe Iran and the Houthis are unlikely to launch pre-emptive attacks against American personnel or Israel at present, but could respond if Iran is struck first, one source said.
The threat has also prompted preparations to reduce the US diplomatic presence across West Asia. The US Embassy in Riyadh is currently the only American diplomatic facility in the region under an ordered departure directive, but further restrictions are expected. Other missions could receive similar orders or operate with reduced staffing under personnel caps, according to a source cited by CNN.
Non-essential US military personnel scheduled to deploy to West Asia as part of the next troop rotation have also been told they will no longer be sent, a US official said.
Meanwhile, Adm Brad Cooper, the commander of US Central Command, visited the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday as American forces maintained a blockade on Iranian ports and assisted shipping through the strategic waterway.
Cooper flew over the strait by helicopter to assess the operational situation and met service members involved in clearing Iranian mines, CENTCOM said.
"We continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Gulf partners and the shipping industry," Cooper said in a statement. "This visit underscores our strong commitment to continued freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz."
Although tanker traffic through the strait has increased, oil prices remain elevated amid concerns over possible Iranian attacks. One US official described the current situation around the waterway as "untenable" in the long term, suggesting that the lack of a diplomatic breakthrough could be another factor pushing Trump towards military action.
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