The United States and Israel are planning a potential bombing campaign targeting Iran's energy infrastructure, with strikes possibly taking place over the weekend, CBS News reported on Friday, citing sources.
Get breaking news anytime, anywhere. Download the TOI app now!
However, US president Donald Trump has not yet given final approval for the operation.
According to multiple US sources, officials have discussed wrapping up the operation before financial markets open on Monday amid concerns over the potential impact of the strikes on the US and global economy.
However, no firm timeline has been finalised.
The sources added that Israeli officials have been informed of the plans and are coordinating closely with the United States.
A joint operation would mark Israel's return to active military operations after it paused its campaign during the US-brokered truce.
Iran, meanwhile, has not launched attacks against Israel since the memorandum of understanding collapsed and the United States resumed combat operations in early July.
"Israel is unaware of a decision to restart full military operations, nor has been requested of Israel to join any military actions against Iran," an Israeli official was quoted as saying by CBS News.
The development comes as Trump warned on Friday that Iran could be hit "very hard."
"We'll be hitting him very hard and, you know, at some point they're going to say, 'We just can't take it anymore'," the US president said.
The Wall Street Journal also reported that Trump had ordered preparations for a fresh military offensive aimed at pressuring Tehran into surrender, with the operation potentially beginning as early as this weekend.
More than five months after the conflict began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, the fighting shows no sign of easing, with both sides continuing to exchange attacks.
Throughout the conflict, Trump has repeatedly threatened to target Iran's critical infrastructure. Last week, he warned that the United States would destroy a bridge or power plant each time commercial shipping in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz came under attack.
The latest report also comes days after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Trump and US defence secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington.
