US Forces on Standby to Strike Iran as Trump Weighs Options

Ankara (ANTARA) - US forces have reportedly been placed in a state of readiness to launch strikes against Iran as early as this weekend, although President Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision, Anadolu reported on Thursday (19/2).

Citing a CNN report, the Turkish news agency stated that US forces had prepared for the possibility of striking Iran within the coming days after air and naval assets were deployed to the Middle East.

On Wednesday, Trump held a meeting to review the latest developments with Iran and consider next steps, including diplomatic negotiations and military options, according to a report by news portal Axios as cited by Anadolu.

The meeting was attended by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, senior adviser Jared Kushner, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

They briefed Trump on nuclear talks with the Iranian delegation in Geneva earlier this week and the possible options to be pursued.

Officials warned that military options against Iran risk triggering a regional conflict far broader than the limited operation in Venezuela last January.

During the meeting, Trump also received the latest briefing on negotiations related to the Russia-Ukraine war and the inaugural session of Trump’s newly established Peace Council to address the crisis in Gaza, Palestine.