CNN: US could launch major strikes on Iran within 96 hours

The White House is said to have prepared strategic attack plans for large-scale military operations against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing CNN, that two senior US national security officials said strikes could begin within 96 hours if President Donald Trump gives the order.

The report says US forces and naval aviation in the Middle East and Persian Gulf have sufficient military capacity to conduct large-scale operations. Experts say a possible new US intervention would go beyond maintaining the current status quo and defensive posture, and could target broader strategic infrastructure.

Former and current US officials say Trump could make a final decision on an attack at any time before the end of the year. They say an announcement is more likely immediately after the US midterm elections. However, sources recalled that Trump has previously considered similar decisive steps but postponed his decision at the last moment.

CNN, citing two US officials and an Israeli security source, reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had strongly pressed Washington to carry out immediate joint allied strikes against Iran. The Israeli source alleged that Netanyahu had tried to persuade Trump to launch a joint operation against Iran before the elections, but that the White House had not given the “green light.”

US officials say Washington has asked Tel Aviv to wait until preparations are complete. Israel reportedly sought military and logistical support from the United States last week amid the possibility of starting military operations. Senior officials, including Donald Trump, advised Tel Aviv not to rush and hinted that the two countries would take coordinated action in the near future.