WASHINGTON — The U.S. military is prepared to launch air or naval strikes against Iran as early as this coming weekend, but Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision on whether to authorize such action, multiple U.S. and international media outlets reported Thursday, citing sources familiar with internal White House deliberations.
According to CNN, the White House has been briefed that military forces could be in position for an attack by the weekend after a significant buildup of air and naval assets in the Middle East.
However, officials caution that Trump is still weighing his options, having discussed both military and diplomatic paths with advisers and allied leaders.
“He is spending a lot of time thinking about this,” one source told CNN, emphasizing that no final decision has been made and that the situation remains fluid.
For its part, Iran is fortifying several of its nuclear facilities, using concrete and large amounts of soil to bury key sites amid US military pressure, according to new satellite imagery and analysis from the Institute for Science and International Security.
Military Buildup and Strategic Positioning
In recent days, the United States has significantly increased its military posture in the region.
The USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group, among the most advanced in the U.S. fleet, is expected to arrive in waters near Iran as early as the weekend, alongside other warships and air assets repositioned closer to the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea.
Sources also told CNN that U.S. Air Force units, including refueling tankers and fighter jets based in Europe and the United Kingdom, are being repositioned in anticipation of any potential operations that might follow.
Despite this military readiness, White House officials have publicly stressed that diplomacy remains the preferred initial path.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that while “diplomacy is always his first option,” military action remains on the table.
She declined to speculate on specific timelines or targets.
Iran and U.S. officials have been engaged in indirect talks in Geneva, where negotiators passed notes for several hours earlier this week.
Iranian representatives said there had been some agreements on guiding principles, though U.S. officials characterized the talks as unfinished and lacking detailed resolutions.
Diplomacy, Pressure, and Regional Coordination
The debate within the Trump administration has reportedly involved discussions about the broader consequences of military action, including the risk of escalation and the political fallout both domestically and internationally.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to travel to Israel later this month to brief leaders on the status of Iran negotiations, indicating continued engagement with key regional partners.
Analysts note that Iran has also been reinforcing its nuclear facilities and defensive capabilities, using concrete and other fortifications to protect critical infrastructure amid intensifying pressure.
While U.S. military planners have briefed that strikes could occur as early as the weekend, sources said there is no firm deadline and any decision could be delayed as Trump continues to assess intelligence, diplomatic updates, and advice from national security officials.
The apparent readiness for military action, juxtaposed with ongoing diplomacy, underscores the complex and high‑stakes nature of the U.S.–Iran standoff — with global implications for stability in the Middle East and beyond.
