US Military Prepares for Possible Weeks-Long Operations Against Iran
Washington DC - The United States military is reportedly preparing for the possibility of sustained operations lasting weeks against Iran should President Donald Trump order a strike. This information was conveyed by two US officials who said the situation could potentially escalate into a serious conflict.
As reported by Reuters on Sunday (2/15/2026), the officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the planning, said there is much at stake for the ongoing diplomacy between the United States and Iran.
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will hold negotiations with Iran on Tuesday in Geneva, with representatives from Oman acting as mediators. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that although Trump’s preference is to reach a deal with Tehran, “that is very hard to do.”
Meanwhile, Trump has been amassing military forces in the region, raising concerns about new military action. US officials said on Friday that the Pentagon is sending an additional aircraft carrier to the Middle East, adding thousands more troops along with fighter jets, guided-missile destroyers, and other combat forces capable of launching strikes and defending against them.
Trump, speaking on Friday after a military event at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, openly raised the possibility of regime change in Iran. He said “it seems like that would be the best thing that could happen.” He declined to name who he would want to take over Iran but said “there are people.”
“For 47 years, they just keep talking and talking and talking,” Trump said.
Trump has long voiced skepticism about sending ground troops into Iran, saying last year that “the last thing you want to do is ground troops,” and the type of US combat forces deployed to the Middle East so far suggest a preference for strikes primarily by air and naval forces.
When asked to comment on preparations for potentially sustained US military operations, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said, “President Trump has all options available regarding Iran.”
“He listens to various perspectives on every issue but makes the final decision based on what is best for our country and national security,” Kelly said.
The Pentagon, meanwhile, declined to comment.