Senior representatives of the US administration and heads of several federal agencies are actively preparing for possible military action against Iran in the coming days, Bloomberg reported, citing well-informed sources.
According to the information, the strike could be carried out as early as the weekend, although the final decision has not yet been made. Some of the sources emphasize that the situation remains dynamic and plans may change. Until recently, US President Donald Trump was inclined to use diplomatic pressure to stop Tehran's nuclear program, the BBC notes.
Earlier, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump had given principle approval to a plan to strike Iranian sites, but had decided to temporarily postpone its implementation. When asked by journalists about a possible strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, Trump replied meaningfully: "I may do it, I may not do it. Nobody knows what I will decide."
Meanwhile, ABC News quotes its sources as saying that the coming 24-48 hours will be crucial for formulating the final American position.
The escalation comes in the context of heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as a series of Iranian missile attacks that have caused casualties in Israel. Despite mixed signals from the White House, the preparations for military action show that the United States is considering all options in its attempt to contain the crisis in the Middle East.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that the Islamic Republic would not accept U.S. President Donald Trump's call for unconditional surrender. It was his first statement since Israel's strikes on Iran began last week.