According to US media reports that quoted officials familiar with the negotiations, the US military has informed President Donald Trump that it can be prepared to launch strikes on Iran as early as Saturday.
According to the reports, Trump hasn’t decided yet, they stated that discussions within the administration are ongoing and subject to change.
Washington increases its military presence in and around the Middle East, the warnings are issued as pressure mounts over Iran’s nuclear program, this includes additional air and naval resources.
US national security advisers met at the White House, a senior US official told Reuters they were informed that, despite discussions about planning for earlier options, the broader deployment should be in place by the middle of March.
Meanwhile, diplomacy continues to take place. This week, negotiators from the US and Iran held indirect talks in Geneva.
Tehran is expected to provide a written proposal on how to end the standoff, according to a senior U.S. official.
At a press conference, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed caution, stating, “We’re going to try, but no one has ever been able to do a successful deal with Iran.”
Iran has threatened to strike back if it is attacked and they would strike US bases in the area if it were targeted, according to Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.
The host nations themselves would not be the target, Russia called for moderation as well, in an interview Sergei Lavrov, the foreign minister cautioned that rising tensions were like “playing with fire.”
Also Read: Pauline Hanson backtracks after saying there are no good Muslims
Uncertainty over timing and goals has dampened even Washington’s toughest signals. According to CBS, officials anticipate that if a possible campaign moves forward at all, it may last past this weekend.
It stated that the immediate focus is still on Tehran’s response in the days ahead and whether Trump approves action.
