AI Brief
- The Pentagon has directed US Central Command to prepare for potential major combat operations in Iran, according to US officials cited by Axios.
- Possible operations may include large-scale bombing of Iranian energy, infrastructure, and nuclear sites, with potential joint US-Israeli military involvement.
- The US is deploying a third aircraft carrier strike group and additional troops to the Middle East, expected to arrive by end of November.
THE Pentagon instructed U.S. Central Command several days ago to complete preparations for resuming major combat operations in Iran, news website Axios reported Wednesday, citing U.S. officials.
U.S. and Israeli sources said the strikes could take place before the U.S. midterm elections, which will be held on November 3, and possibly before the Israeli elections a week earlier, the report said.
Potential combat operations include massive bombing campaigns targeting Iranian energy, infrastructure and nuclear facilities, according to the sources.
On October 2, U.S. President Donald Trump's national security team met for several hours at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland, to discuss the Iran war and other issues. An Israeli official said the meeting explored the possibility of resuming major combat operations against Iran, according to the report.
The report noted that negotiations between the U.S. and Iran have made no progress. Qatari mediators are still waiting for Iran's response to a U.S. proposal that demands concessions on the nuclear issue.
The report said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recently held phone calls with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump. If major combat operations against Iran are resumed, it is highly likely to be a joint U.S.-Israeli operation, with the Israeli military directly participating.
In early October, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Pentagon is sending a third aircraft carrier strike group and additional Marine Corps ships to the Middle East, adding 9,000 to 10,000 more U.S. troops.
The ships, jet fighters, Marines and sailors will arrive by the end of November, the report cited U.S. officials as saying.
