White House Considers Iran Strike as Tensions Escalate

The United States military is prepared to carry out strikes against Iran as early as this weekend, but President Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision on whether to authorize action.

Senior administration officials have briefed the White House that US forces could be positioned to launch an attack by the weekend following a significant buildup of air and naval assets in the Middle East in recent days. However, one source cautioned that Trump has privately weighed arguments both for and against military action and has consulted advisers and allies on the best course forward.

Top national security officials met Wednesday in the White House Situation Room to discuss developments related to Iran. Trump also received briefings from special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner regarding indirect talks with Iranian officials held a day earlier. It remains unclear whether the president will reach a decision before the weekend.

Indirect negotiations between US and Iranian representatives took place Tuesday in Geneva, lasting approximately three and a half hours. While Iran’s lead negotiator said both sides agreed on a “set of guiding principles,” a US official described the talks as ongoing, noting that significant details remain unresolved.

Meanwhile, the US has expanded its military presence in the region. The USS Gerald Ford carrier strike group is expected to arrive in the Middle East as soon as this weekend. US Air Force refueling tankers and fighter aircraft based in the United Kingdom have also been repositioned closer to the region, sources said.

In response, Iran has reportedly reinforced several of its nuclear facilities, using concrete and soil to fortify key sites, according to satellite imagery analysis by the Institute for Science and International Security.

Several upcoming events could influence the timing of any potential action. The Winter Olympics conclude Sunday, and some European officials believe no strike would occur before then. Ramadan began Wednesday, and officials from US-allied Middle Eastern countries have warned that military action during the holy month could further destabilize the region. President Trump is also scheduled to deliver his State of the Union address on Tuesday.