The United States has deployed the most substantial military force to the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, raising fears of imminent strikes against Iran as President Donald Trump weighs his options. Sources familiar with the matter told CNN that the US military could be ready to launch attacks as early as this weekend, although Trump has yet to make a final decision. The president has reportedly polled advisers and foreign leaders, weighing both the risks of military action and the potential gains of further diplomacy.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasised on Wednesday that while diplomacy remains Trump’s “first option,” military action remains firmly on the table. “There’s many reasons and arguments that one could make for a strike against Iran,” she said, adding that the president relies heavily on counsel from his national security team. Negotiations continue: US and Iranian officials met in Geneva this week for indirect talks, agreeing on a “set of guiding principles,” though key details remain unresolved, CBS reported.
