One high-ranking military official noted that if a decision is made, the command will need time to strengthen the positions of U.S. armed forces in the region and prepare for possible retaliatory measures from Iran.
The Wall Street Journal also reports on preliminary discussions within the Trump administration, among which a large-scale airstrike on Iranian military facilities was considered. However, sources claim that opinions on this matter are divided, and no steps have been taken to deploy military equipment or personnel in preparation for strikes at this time.
Interviewees from the publication emphasize that such discussions are part of normal military planning, and there are currently no signs of an imminent attack on Iran.
In response to journalists' inquiries, the White House referred to a recent post by Trump on the social network Truth Social, where the president wrote: "Iran is seeking freedom, perhaps like never before. The U.S. is ready to help!!!"
Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, in turn, warned that any attack by the U.S. would provoke retaliatory actions from Tehran against Israel and U.S. military bases in the region, which would be considered "legitimate targets."
Meanwhile, mass protests continue in Iran, which began on December 28 against the backdrop of the collapse of the national currency and a sharp rise in inflation. Protests have spread across almost the entire country, and in two cities in western Iran, control has shifted to demonstrators, according to media reports. Authorities have begun a harsh crackdown on the protests, resulting in the internet being almost completely shut down in the country. According to some reports, the number of fatalities has exceeded 200 people, but no official information has been provided.
