Author: Phil Stewart and Idris Ali
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. military is preparing for weeks of action against Iran if President Donald Trump orders an attack, which could lead to a more serious conflict between the two countries than previously seen, two U.S. officials told Reuters.
The disclosures by the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the program, raise the stakes for ongoing diplomacy between the United States and Iran.
U.S. and Iranian diplomats held talks in Oman last week to try to revive diplomacy over Tehran’s nuclear program as Trump’s military buildup in the region raised concerns about new military action.
The Pentagon will send an additional aircraft carrier to the Middle East along with thousands of troops as well as fighter jets, guided missile destroyers and other firepower capable of attack and defense, U.S. officials said on Friday.
Speaking to U.S. troops at a base in North Carolina on Friday, Trump said it would be “very difficult to make a deal” with Iran.
“Sometimes you have to be afraid. That’s the only way the situation can really be resolved,” Trump said.
Asked to comment on preparations for possible continued U.S. military action, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said: “President Trump has all options when it comes to Iran.”
“He will listen to a variety of perspectives on any given issue but will make the final decision based on what is best for our country and our national security,” Kelly said.
The Pentagon declined to comment.
Last year, the United States dispatched two aircraft carriers to the region and carried out strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.
However, Operation Midnight Hammer in June was essentially a one-off U.S. strike in which stealth bombers flew from the United States to attack Iranian nuclear facilities. Iran carried out very limited retaliatory strikes against US bases in Qatar.
increased risk
Officials say the planning underway this time around is more complex.
An official said that in the ongoing operation, the US military may attack Iran’s national and security facilities, not just nuclear infrastructure. The official declined to provide specific details.
Experts say that against Iran, which has a powerful missile arsenal, the risk faced by the US military will be much greater. Iran’s retaliatory strikes also increase the risk of regional conflict.
The U.S. fully expects Iran to retaliate, leading to a period of back-and-forth strikes and retaliation, the official said.
The White House and Pentagon did not respond to questions about retaliation or the risk of regional conflict.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to bomb Iran over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and its crackdown on internal dissent. On Thursday, he warned that alternatives to a diplomatic solution would be “very painful, very painful”.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have warned they may retaliate against any U.S. military bases if Iranian territory is attacked.
The United States has bases throughout the Middle East, including in Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Türkiye.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who held talks with Trump in Washington on Wednesday, said any deal with Iran “must include elements that are critical to Israel.”
Iran said it was ready to discuss curbs on its nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions but ruled out linking the issue to missiles.
(Reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; Editing by Don Durfee and Rosalba O’Brien)