U.S. Prepares for Possible Iran Strikes While President Trump Weighs Timing

New Military Measures in Iran as Trump Calculates Options

To ready for major operations in Iran, the U. S. government issued a directive to Central Command. Despite clear agreement among officials, a specific strike date remains unset, and President Trump has not yet made a final decision. U. S. and Israeli sources suggest actions could occur before mid‑year U. S. elections and possibly before Israeli elections, which are scheduled a week earlier. If launched, massive bombings of energy networks, infrastructure, and nuclear sites are expected, potentially shifting mid‑year election dynamics and oil prices.

In recent days, the Pentagon gave CENTCOM a clear order: finalize preparations to resume large‑scale combat in Iran. The instruction lacks a concrete launch time, and Trump has not issued a final verdict. Both U. S. and Israeli officials say such action could happen before mid‑year U. S. elections, with some estimates placing it a week before Israeli elections.

Should combat resume, intense bombings of energy grids, critical infrastructure, and nuclear targets are anticipated. Economic reactions could be significant: rising oil prices might influence mid‑year election outcomes, as the U. S. economy is sensitive to energy fluctuations.

The Pentagon’s Decision and Its Implications

The Pentagon emphasized its role in developing and presenting options to the president.

A Pentagon official said, „The department is here to provide the president with all possible options at any time.”

Other Perspectives

Another White House official noted, „The United States is in a strong position, controlling the Hormuz desert, and the Iranian economy is collapsing.” He added, „Iran has suffered a major disaster, and there are two possible scenarios: an easy path or a difficult one. President Trump holds all the cards and will do everything in U. S. interest.”

International reports highlighted that last week, President Trump considered launching attacks in Iran before mid‑year elections. During a Friday Camp David meeting, the president’s national security team discussed war and other topics in detail. An Israeli official said part of the meeting focused on the possibility of resuming major combat operations in Iran.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the discussions centered on „long‑term planning” of foreign policy. Meanwhile, U. S.–Iran negotiations have made little progress. Qatari mediators await an Iranian response to an American counterproposal that included nuclear concessions.

High‑Level Meetings and Discussions

Another Israeli official noted, „Discussions are intensifying. The probability of operations starting before elections is low, but not ruled out. After mid‑year elections, chances rise significantly.”

On Wednesday, President Trump had a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, marking the second recent meeting after limited communication. An American official said the talks covered „recognition and respect for the victims of the October 7 attack.”

Impact on Israeli Elections

The call followed Netanyahu’s meeting with his national security team on Iran, according to the Israeli prime minister. Netanyahu also spoke with Rubio on Monday.

If major combat operations resume, they are expected to be coordinated between the U. S. and Israel, with active Israeli army participation. During a meeting, two Israeli officials emphasized that the Iranian regime is desperate and paranoid, potentially prompting a preemptive strike. They noted Iran had suffered two surprise attacks and does not want a third.

An escalation could affect Israeli elections, as Iran might launch hundreds of ballistic missiles in response. Heightened tensions could benefit Netanyahu politically, preventing opponents from attacking him in the campaign’s final phase.