US preparing for potential weeks-long military campaign against Iran: Report
The US military is planning for a potential sustained campaign against Iran should President Donald Trump order an attack, two senior US officials told Reuters.
The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, emphasised that the move could trigger a significant Iranian retaliation, risking a prolonged regional conflict which could be far more serious than previous confrontations.
They added, without providing detail, that US strikes would not just target nuclear infrastructure, but also Iranian state and security facilities. US attacks on the country last year primarily targeted nuclear sites.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to attack Iran over its nuclear and ballistic missiles programmes, warning on Thursday that Tehran’s failure to reach a deal would be “very traumatic”.
In turn, Iran's Revolutionary Guards have warned that they would target US military bases in the region in response to attacks.
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Tensions intensified further on Friday after Trump deployed a second aircraft carrier - the world’s largest - to the Middle East. The USS Gerald R Ford will bring thousands more US troops and firepower to the region.
The US previously sent two aircraft carriers to the region ahead of its attacks on Iran last year.
Speaking to US troops on Friday at a base in North Carolina, Trump said it had "been difficult to make a deal" with Iran.
"Sometimes you have to have fear. That's the only thing that really will get the situation taken care of," Trump said.
Asked for comment on the preparations for a potentially sustained US military operation, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said: "President Trump has all options on the table with regard to Iran.
"He listens to a variety of perspectives on any given issue, but makes the final decision based on what is best for our country and national security," Kelly said.
The deployment of the USS Gerald R Ford followed a meeting between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhu earlier this week, which a senior administration official told the Daily Mail pushed the US president to harden his position.
“Netanyahu basically said, Iran plays games. You don't want to get played. Trump listened,” the official said.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts between the two countries continue, with Iranian and US diplomats holding a round of indirect negotiations in Oman last week to discuss curbing Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missiles programmes.
Tehran stuck to its refusal to end enrichment of nuclear fuel, but both sides said they were open to further talks, with the next round scheduled next week.
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