Iran faces looming US-Israel strike escalation next week - NYT
Donald Trump, President of the US (photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump has returned from China and faces a key decision on Iran. His advisers have drawn up plans to resume military strikes if diplomacy reaches a complete dead end. No decision has been made yet, according to the NYT.
What the Pentagon is preparing
Operation Epic Fury, suspended after the ceasefire was announced, could resume as early as next week — possibly under a new name.
"We have a plan to escalate if necessary," confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. At the same time, there is also a plan to withdraw more than 50,000 troops from the region.
Two Middle Eastern officials reported that the US and Israel are conducting the most intensive preparations since the ceasefire — for a possible resumption of strikes as early as next week.
What options are on the table
Among the options considered are more aggressive airstrikes on Iranian military and civilian infrastructure. The second option is a special forces operation to extract nuclear materials from the facility in Isfahan.
Several hundred special operations troops are already in the region precisely for this purpose. However, such an operation would require thousands of troops as backup and carries a significant risk of casualties.
Also under consideration is the seizure of Kharg Island — a key hub for Iranian oil exports.
Iran has regained its potential
Despite a month of ceasefire, Iran has regained access to 30 out of 33 missile positions along the Strait of Hormuz. Most of the damaged facilities have been restored. Military officials privately admit: winning will not be easy.
Situation in the region
Approximately 5,000 Marines and 2,000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division are on the ground. Two aircraft carrier strike groups, more than a dozen destroyers, and hundreds of aircraft are ready to resume combat operations on order.
After returning from Beijing, Trump is considering easing sanctions on Chinese oil companies that buy Iranian crude.
During the summit, Beijing and Washington reached a principled agreement that Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons under any circumstances.
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz suggested that the operation against Iran could soon resume — in his words, not all objectives have been achieved yet.
