US ready to launch Iran strikes within 96 hours, after Trump got Israel to nix attack last week – report

The US is reportedly ready for a new large-scale campaign against Iran with just four days notice, after the administration reportedly pressed Israel to hold off on a planned wave of attacks last week.

By David Rosenberg, World Israel News

The United States has built up sufficient military forces in the Middle East to launch a major new offensive against Iran within four days of receiving authorization from President Donald Trump, according to American officials, after the US reportedly pressed Israel to delay plans last week to attack Iran.

Two US officials told CNN that American forces could begin operations “within 96 hours” of a presidential order, with military planners preparing a campaign considerably broader than the limited strikes conducted since Trump suspended major combat operations earlier this year.

The Pentagon and US Central Command have developed an extensive list of potential targets, including Iranian nuclear facilities, military installations and energy infrastructure.

“It will be a big effort,” one American official told CNN, indicating that the proposed campaign would go beyond attacks on missile launchers, radar installations and other military equipment that Iran could rapidly replace.

Current and former US officials familiar with the planning believe Trump is increasingly inclined to authorize another offensive, potentially before the end of the year.

However, they stressed that no final decision has been made and that the president has previously considered major military action before changing course.

The preparations are being closely coordinated with Israel, whose government has reportedly been pressing Washington to participate in another round of strikes against the Islamic Republic.

According to CNN, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought American approval for a joint offensive before Israel’s October 27 election, but Trump declined to authorize the operation.

American officials instead urged Israel to postpone further attacks until the two countries were prepared to act together, with a possible operation now expected after the November 3 US midterm elections.

An Israeli security source said Netanyahu had attempted to persuade Trump to approve an earlier attack but failed to obtain his consent.

The source added that IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir had warned US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine that an offensive before Israel’s election could result in the vote being postponed.

Israel has reportedly delayed its immediate attack plans while continuing preparations for potential coordinated operations with American forces.

One source familiar with the discussions told CNN that the military preparations were essentially complete.

“The plans are ready, waiting for Trump’s approval, could be after the midterms,” the source said.

Israel’s dependence on American assistance in intercepting Iranian missiles is reportedly another factor behind Jerusalem’s willingness to wait. Israeli missile-defense stockpiles have come under significant pressure during the conflict, and military officials anticipate substantial Iranian retaliation if hostilities resume.

The reports follow Netanyahu’s declaration last week that overthrowing the Iranian regime had become an explicit objective of Israel’s security establishment.

Speaking at an IDF officers’ graduation ceremony on October 21, Netanyahu accused Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, of continuing his father’s efforts to develop nuclear weapons.

“There is only one way to remove this threat once and for all: overthrow the regime in Iran,” Netanyahu declared.

“And that is my directive to the IDF, the Mossad, and the security branches.”

Netanyahu also claimed that Trump shared his position on regime change, saying the American president had privately expressed willingness to complete the campaign alongside Israel.

The prospect of another offensive has heightened concerns about Iranian retaliation against American personnel and military installations throughout the Middle East.

An October 23 intelligence memorandum from Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that Tehran had intensified efforts to target American citizens abroad.

“The lethal plotting efforts by the Iranians against US citizens have reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries,” Clayton wrote, according to Reuters.

American intelligence agencies reportedly believe that Iran and its Houthi allies in Yemen are unlikely to launch major preemptive attacks, but would respond rapidly if the United States or Israel initiated another offensive.

The growing threat has prompted Washington to reduce its diplomatic presence across the region.

The State Department has ordered nonessential personnel and family members to leave American diplomatic facilities in Saudi Arabia, while additional embassies are expected to implement staffing restrictions or further withdrawals.

Some American military personnel scheduled to deploy to the region have also reportedly been informed that their rotations have been canceled.

Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, visited the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday to inspect American operations securing the vital maritime passage.

CENTCOM said American forces had assisted more than 3,000 commercial vessels in navigating the waterway over the previous six months, facilitating the export of more than 1.5 billion barrels of oil.

“We continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Gulf partners and the shipping industry,” Cooper said.

Washington has maintained a blockade of Iranian ports while working to protect international shipping through the strait, where Iranian attacks and the threat of further disruptions have contributed to elevated global oil prices.

The economic consequences of the prolonged confrontation are reportedly among the considerations influencing Trump’s decision, although officials remain uncertain whether another military campaign could compel Tehran to make concessions.

Iran has indicated that diplomatic negotiations remain possible. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Sunday that Tehran was continuing to exchange messages with Washington through intermediaries, despite the apparent breakdown of direct negotiations.

He criticized American demands for “complete surrender,” insisting that Iran would not accept such terms.

On Monday, delegations from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey were meeting Iranian officials in Tehran in another effort to reduce tensions and revive negotiations.

Trump has publicly ruled out launching strikes before the American midterm elections. Asked Sunday whether an attack was imminent, he responded, “No. There will not be a strike today.”

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