The United States is quietly preparing for a nightmare scenario: weeks of sustained military operations against Iran. Two U.S. officials revealed the plans as tensions surge, warning that any order from President Donald Trump could unleash a conflict far more serious than anything seen before. The disclosure alone has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles.

Behind closed doors, the planning is already under way. Officials say the U.S. military is bracing for prolonged action, not a quick strike. The stakes are rising fast as diplomacy scrambles to keep up.

On Tuesday, U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are due to meet Iranian negotiators in Geneva, with Oman acting as mediator. But optimism is thin. Secretary of State Marco Rubio admitted reaching a deal would be “very hard.”

Even as talks loom, Trump has been stacking firepower across the Middle East. The Pentagon is sending an additional aircraft carrier, along with fighter jets, guided-missile destroyers, and thousands more troops. The message is unmistakable: the military option is real.

Speaking after a military event at Fort Bragg on Friday, Trump openly floated the idea of regime change in Iran. “It seems like that would be the best thing that could happen,” he said, offering no details on who might replace the current leadership. He added pointedly, “For 47 years, they’ve been talking and talking.”

Trump has long warned against deploying ground troops. Last year, he said the “last thing you want to do is ground forces,” signalling any assault would rely on air, naval, or special operations. His recent raid aimed at seizing Venezuela’s leader showed he is willing to use unconventional tactics.

The White House confirmed all options remain on the table. Spokesperson Anna Kelly said Trump listens to many perspectives but decides based on national security. The Pentagon declined to comment.

Last year, U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites were brief and limited. June’s “Midnight Hammer” operation saw stealth bombers fly from the U.S. to hit facilities before Iran responded with a restrained strike on a base in Qatar. This time, officials warn, it could be very different.

Planning now includes the possibility of targeting Iranian state and security facilities, not just nuclear infrastructure. Experts say Iran’s missile arsenal makes retaliation almost certain. Any sustained campaign could trigger a dangerous cycle of attacks and reprisals.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has already warned it would strike U.S. bases if attacked. America maintains bases across Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, and Turkey, all potential flashpoints. The risk of a wider regional war looms large.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Trump in Washington, insisting any deal must meet Israel’s security needs. Iran says it will discuss nuclear curbs for sanctions relief but refuses to link missiles to talks.

Iranian opposition figure Reza Pahlavi urged Washington not to delay. He told Reuters that U.S. intervention could accelerate the regime’s collapse, claiming signs of internal weakness are growing.

For now, diplomacy hangs by a thread. But with carriers moving and plans drawn, the world waits to see whether talks can halt a conflict that could burn for weeks.

Key Takeaways

• The U.S. military is preparing for weeks-long operations against Iran.

• Trump has surged forces while talks struggle to gain traction.

• Retaliation risks could ignite a wider Middle East war.

Exclusive: US military preparing for potentially weeks-long Iran operations

What's the end game?

10 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

What's the end game?

There is none.

1 minute ago, stevenl said:

There is none.

That what it sounds like.

I'm interested in seeing the Iranian people liberated.

I'm assuming Trump doesn't care about them one bit.

13 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

What's the end game?

Conceding to Bibi's ego driven desire to be another King ?

Iran could be such a great country.

Yeah the Shah sucked but the mullahs are much worse.

I've been very impressed with the Iranian people that I've met over the years.

They deserve so much better.

23 minutes ago, stevenl said:

There is none.

Freeing Iranians from the same misogynistic tyranny that woke Europeans are gleefully importing.

21 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Freeing Iranians from the same misogynistic tyranny that woke Europeans are gleefully importing.

That's some totally insane projection.

Assuming Trump doesn't want American casualties, it isn't going to be easy.

There was a thread about this recently.

Would the regular army turn against the Revolutionary Guards?

If not, then how can the regime fall?

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

That what it sounds like.

I'm interested in seeing the Iranian people liberated.

I'm assuming Trump doesn't care about them one bit.

Oh course he doesn't, he's obeying the Jewish billionaires like Miriam Adelson, who gave him $400 million.

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Iran could be such a great country.

Yeah the Shah sucked but the mullahs are much worse.

I've been very impressed with the Iranian people that I've met over the years.

They deserve so much better.

True, but what's it got to do with the USA?

1 minute ago, JimCM said:

Oh course he doesn't, he's obeying the Jewish billionaires like Miriam Adelson, who gave him $400 million.

You never met a Jewish global control conspiracy theory that you didn't like.

However, it is certainly a fact that Israel has an interest in castrating Iran as a military threat. So does Saudi, and others.

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

You never met a Jewish global control conspiracy theory that you didn't like.

However, it is certainly a fact that Israel has an interest in castrating Iran as a military threat. So does Saudi, and others.

Are you saying Miriam(with her husband) didn't 'donate' $400 million. Are you saying other Israeli/US billionaires didn't donate hundreds of millions?

How much time does it take to bring a second aircraft carrier (including fleet) from the Carribean to the strait of Hormuz?

Upon their arrival, nothing will happen militarily. If talks fail, Donald can not TACO once more. TACO once more and his credibility is gone for good.

Maybe a good idea to have some oil futures in your portfolio. Just in case.

14 hours ago, Jingthing said:

What's the end game?

Could take people's minds off certain "controversial domestic matters" in US domestic politics for quite a while.

Very, very many people could die, but at least it will slow the talk about a certain fat old man's predeliction for young girls...

14 hours ago, swissie said:

How much time does it take to bring a second aircraft carrier (including fleet) from the Carribean to the strait of Hormuz?

Upon their arrival, nothing will happen militarily. If talks fail, Donald can not TACO once more. TACO once more and his credibility is gone for good.

Maybe a good idea to have some oil futures in your portfolio. Just in case.

Which "credibility"? 😄

Israel is certainly willing to strike, provided the US supplies enough weapon and ensures enough protection against Iran's missiles.

There exists another smaller potential theatre of conflict that might ease Trump's grief over being denied Greenland.......Cuba.

It also ticks the usual boxes for US justification in military invasion to "save the population ".

That the population would not really need saving if were not for the relentless sanctions that have been applied for decades.

Which scenario will become the distraction from the other?

Cuba is less likely to trigger major global involvement at the cost of mostly brown lives.