New Delhi: The Pentagon has directed US Central Command (CENTCOM) to complete preparations to resume major combat operations against Iran. Citing US officials, Axios reports that President Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision on launching new strikes. These preparations could pave the way for a new US military campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, energy infrastructure, and other strategic targets, according to the report.
Only orders for preparations, not for attack
However, the report said no timeframe has been set for the attack and the Pentagon’s preparations do not necessarily mean a presidential order to launch the strike. This development comes at a time when Washington’s diplomatic efforts with Tehran are stalled. Reports suggest that talks are stalled despite a separate meeting of Trump’s senior national-security team at Camp David last week, where the Iran war and the escalating Saudi-Houthi conflict in Yemen were discussed. The meeting was chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance and included senior US defense, intelligence, diplomatic, and economic officials.
So will there be an attack on Iran after the elections?
The timing is also linked to the US mid-term elections and the upcoming elections in Israel. US and Israeli officials are assessing the possibility of resuming the operation before the elections, although an Israeli official said the likelihood of action before the elections is low and could increase after the elections. Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu have spoken twice in recent days.
US and Israeli forces are expected to work together if fighting resumes, while Israeli officials believe Iran could retaliate with ballistic-missile attacks on Israel.
