WASHINGTON: The United States (US) military is preparing for the possibility of sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran if President Donald Trump orders military action, two US officials told Reuters, signalling a potentially broader conflict than previous confrontations between the adversaries.
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The contingency planning comes as Washington and Tehran attempt to revive diplomacy over Iran’s nuclear programme following talks in Oman last week. At the same time, the Pentagon has been reinforcing US military presence in the Middle East, including deploying an additional aircraft carrier, thousands of troops, fighter aircraft and guided-missile destroyers.
BREAKING: The U.S. military is preparing for the possibility of sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran if President Trump orders an attack, according to two U.S. officials – Reuters pic.twitter.com/IL9mTML8nU
— GeoWatch (@GeoWatch4u) February 14, 2026
BREAKING: The U.S. military is preparing for the possibility of a sustained, weeks-long military operation against the Islamic regime in Iran if President Trump orders strikes — Reuters pic.twitter.com/JwsmwrLzTz
— Vivid.🇮🇱 (@VividProwess) February 14, 2026
Speaking to troops at a base in North Carolina on Friday, Trump said reaching a deal with Iran had been difficult and suggested military pressure might be necessary. “Sometimes you have to have fear,” he said. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said the president had “all options on the table.”
US officials said last year’s strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities — dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer — were limited in scope, involving stealth bombers flying from the United States. Iran responded with a restrained retaliatory strike on a US base in Qatar.
Planning for a potential new campaign is more complex, officials said, with possible targets extending beyond nuclear infrastructure to Iranian state and security facilities. Analysts warn Iran’s extensive missile arsenal and regional network of allies raise the risk of prolonged exchanges and wider conflict.
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Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned it could strike US bases across the region if attacked. The United States maintains military installations in Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Trump in Washington, saying any Iran agreement must address Israel’s security concerns, as diplomatic efforts continue alongside rising military tensions.