After a brief lull, the US-Iran war could restart at any moment, as reports emerge that the Pentagon has instructed US Central Command to complete preparations for a possible resumption of strikes against Iran.
This comes amid reports that Qatar is holding separate talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and the US in New York.
No specific time has been set yet, and US President Donald Trump has not made a final decision on the matter, according to Axios. However, US and Israeli sources said a potential operation could begin before the US midterm elections and even before the Israeli elections. Axios claims that these attacks, if carried out, could target Iranian energy facilities, infrastructure and nuclear centre.
“The Department's job is to develop and present military options to the President,” a Pentagon official told Axios. At the same time, a White House official claimed that all options were available to Trump and that the United States was in a "very strong position.
Trump’s national security team met at Camp David Friday for several hours, with part of the meeting focused on a possible resumption of major combat operations against Iran, an Israeli official told Axios. Trump is also in constant touch with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the two spoke on Wednesday, their second call in days. Israeli military could also participate in the combat operations.
Recently, the Trump administration had deployed a third aircraft carrier to the Middle East, along with a second Marine division. The USS Theodore Roosevelt and an additional division of US Marines are currently en route to the Middle East for an extended deployment.
Israel is also watching the development with concern and fear that Iran will try to preempt the attack. Two senior Israeli officials assessed that the leadership in Tehran is in a state of suspicion and pressure following the attacks it has suffered in the past. According to them, Iranian fear of another surprise attack could lead Tehran to try and initiate its own attack, to get ahead of Israel and the United States. Such a scenario could include launching ballistic missiles towards Israel and lead to further regional escalation, particularly in the final weeks of the election campaign.
