Trump inches nearer to Iran strike as Pentagon attracts up targets and massive battle machine floods Middle East
President Trump saying this morning at a governors breakfast at the White House that he is ‘considering’ a limited military strike on Iran – hoping to put heat on their leaders.
The United States military has reportedly drawn up advanced, high–stakes plans for a potential strike on Iran, including extreme options to target specific individuals and actively pursue a total regime change in Tehran.
All actions in Iran hinge on the green light given by Trump.
A State Department insider tells the Daily Mail, at this very moment in time, Trump hasn’t been able to make up his mind, weighing a response from Iran and the advice of those around him in his cabinet.
Two U.S. officials revealed that these aggressive military options are the starkest sign yet that America is bracing for a serious, all–out conflict should ongoing diplomatic efforts completely collapse.
The chilling new details build upon reports from last week indicating that the Pentagon is actively gearing up for a sustained, weeks–long military blitz designed to obliterate Iranian security facilities and deeply embedded nuclear infrastructure.
US military presence in the region has expanded greatly – with more resources positioned across the Middle East than in recent history. Experts say this is the greatest amount of armada and firepower assembled since the invasion in Iraq.
Two aircraft carriers are now deployed alongside a dozen warships, supported by hundreds of fighter jets and advanced air defense systems, with more reinforcements on their way.
US Air Force F–22s in the UK, on the way to the Middle East to support B–2 bombers, pictured at RAF Lakenheath today
The world’s largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford is among the military armada moving into the Middle East
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine applauds as President Trump arrives for a working breakfast with governors in the State Dining Room at the White House
Maryland Governor Wes Moore talks to Delaware Governor Matt Meyer as they attend Trump’s working breakfast with governors
Over 150 US cargo flights have already transported weapons and ammunition into the Middle East.
In just the past 24 hours, an additional 50 fighter jets, including F–35s, F–22s and F–16s, have been sent to the region.
The operation is expected to be coordinated with Israel and would be broader in scope than last year’s 12–day conflict, which escalated when the US joined Israeli efforts to destroy Iran’s underground nuclear facilities.
Such a campaign is described as potentially ‘existential for the regime’ in Tehran, with the capacity to reshape the balance of power across the Middle East.
If the U.S. moved forward –– it would likely involve efforts to assassinate Iran’s supreme leader, 86–year–old Ali Khamenei, and several of his senior officers, as well as the chiefs of the fanatically loyal Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Sources warned it would have a ‘dramatic influence on the entire region’ and could define the remaining years of Trump‘s presidency.
Despite the stakes, there has been little public debate in Washington, with congressional attention and public focus directed elsewhere.
Tensions have been building for weeks, with Trump having previously considered military action in early January following the killing of thousands of protesters by the Iranian regime.
President Trump saying this morning at a governors breakfast at the White House that he is ‘considering’ a limited military strike on Iran – hoping to put heat on their leaders
An aerial view of Diego Garcia
Talks held in Geneva this week between Trump advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi lasted three hours, with both sides claiming they ‘made progress,’ however US officials say major gaps remain.
Iran has also been holding joint military exercises with the Russian Navy, framing the drills as an effort to ensure ‘maritime security.’
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said this morning on the Morning Joe that Trump’s designated negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner reportedly did not ask Iran for Zero Uranium enrichment during their discussions in Geneva.
The White House is drawing up a detailed military plan for an attack on Iran involving the use of both Diego Garcia and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, the site of America’s fleet of heavy bombers in Europe.
Now with the build–up of American aircraft and ships, defence officials reportedly briefed Trump that the US will be ready to begin a war by Saturday.
As per international law, there is no formal distinction between a nation carrying out a strike and those in support, if the latter have ‘knowledge of the circumstances of the internationally wrongful act’.
The UK has not yet granted permission to the US to use the military sites in the event that Trump orders an attack on Tehran, because of concerns that the strike would be a breach of international law, according to a report in the Times.
Trump’s military deployments and increasingly forceful rhetoric have also made backing down without significant concessions from Iran politically difficult.
Iranians attend an anti-government protest in Tehran on January 9
Israel, which has pushed for a more aggressive approach targeting not only Iran’s nuclear and missile programs but also regime change, is already preparing for the possibility of war within days, according to Israeli officials.
The Israeli military has over 200 combat aircraft at its disposal, including F–35s, F–16s and F–15s.
A second aircraft carrier strike group, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is expected to reach the eastern Mediterranean within the next few days.
From there, the world’s largest warship and its escort could protect Israel from an Iranian counter–attack, utilising fast jets from the carrier to take out drones, and its destroyers to assist the Jewish state’s powerful but not comprehensive missile defence umbrella.
