Potential US Strikes on Iran as Soon as Saturday
IRAN – Potential US strikes on Iran will be as early as Saturday, and extend beyond the weekend, according to senior national security officials who informed Trump of the army’s readiness.
The officials, who spoke to CBS News on condition of anonymity, said Trump has not yet reached a final decision on whether to authorize such action.
The sources added that the timeline for any potential operation is expected to extend beyond the weekend.
The talks are said to be continuing as the White House weighs the possibility of escalation along with the broader political and military implications of refraining from action.
Meanwhile, several officials said the Pentagon is shifting some personnel out of the Middle East to Europe or the US in the coming days as a precaution amid the prospect of US military action and potential Iranian reprisals.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in around two weeks for further talks, according to one of the sources.
According to a Wall Street Journal report on Wednesday citing American and foreign officials, Donald Trump is weighing on targeting the Iranian political and military leadership, aimed at toppling the current regime.
The report says that Trump have been briefed on strike options, including targeting missile and nuclear sites as well as a weeks-long air campaign to kill as many leaders (political and military) as possible, but hasn’t yet made the final decision.
