US preparing for military action in Iran

A report has raised concerns that the US could soon launch a full-scale military strike in the Middle East. Axios reported, citing sources, that a potential US military strike in Iran would be a “large, weeks-long operation,” unlike the short-term targeted strikes carried out in Venezuela.

‘90 percent’ chance of military action within two weeks

A Donald Trump adviser told the publication that there is a 90 percent chance of military action in the next few weeks. “The president is getting increasingly frustrated. Some people around him are warning against going to war with Iran. But I think we could see kinetic action in the next few weeks.”

According to the report, the potential strike could be a joint US-Israeli effort, which would be broader than the 12-day attack on Iran in June and could also threaten Iran’s leadership. Such a war could have a major impact on the rest of President Trump’s term. But despite its importance, there has been little public discussion of it with Congress.

In January, Trump reportedly came close to authorizing a military strike in the face of the death toll in the crackdown on protests and rising tensions over Iran’s nuclear program. Although no strike was carried out, the Trump administration adopted a two-pronged strategy—on the one hand, increasing military preparedness, on the other hand, continuing nuclear talks. The strategy is intended to signal what a potential operation would look like if no deal is reached.

On Tuesday, Trump’s advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Geneva for three hours. While both sides reported progress, Axios reported that there are still significant “gaps” in the talks and that U.S. officials are not optimistic about a deal.

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance told Fox News that President Trump has set some “red lines” that Iran is not willing to accept.

US military presence increases around Iran

Meanwhile, even as Iran agreed to return to talks after two weeks with a new proposal, the US is increasing its air and naval forces around Iran. In the past 24 hours, more than 50 US fighter jets—F-35s, F-22s and F-16s—have been deployed to West Asia, Axios reported.

In late January, amid rising tensions, Trump deployed the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to the Arabian Sea. Later in the first week of February, the BBC reported that a dozen F-15 fighter jets, an MQ-9 Reaper drone and several A-10C Thunderbolt II attack aircraft had arrived at the Mu'affak Salti base in Jordan.

Satellite images also show the guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D Black passing through the Suez Canal and heading towards the Red Sea, and the US Navy's MQ-4C Triton surveillance drones are active in the Gulf. In addition, several other reconnaissance aircraft, including E-11A communication aircraft, P-8 Poseidon, E-3G Sentry surveillance aircraft, have been seen in the area. The US has also sent a second aircraft carrier to the area.

US officials said Iran must submit a detailed proposal within two weeks. In June, Trump also set a two-week deadline for a decision on whether to continue negotiations or launch a military strike. However, the US attacked Iran three days later. According to Israeli officials, their government is preparing for a possible war within a few days.

Source- NDTV