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U.S. forces in the Middle East are prepared to launch new, potentially major Iran strikes "within 96 hours of receiving" an order from U.S. President Donald Trump, two U.S. officials told CNN.
Enough forces are now deployed to carry out the attacks, which would likely go beyond strikes on radars, launchers and other quickly rebuilt assets, the officials said, as Trump told reporters Sunday there would be no immediate strike.
"It will be a big effort," one of the officials said.
Current and former officials told CNN it is a question of when, not if, Trump issues a go-order, possibly before the end of the year but most likely after the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and Pentagon leaders have been developing a wide-ranging target list that includes Iranian energy infrastructure, military sites and nuclear facilities.
Officials acknowledged that Iranian forces are now more familiar with U.S. tactics, making it harder to destroy all intended targets.
Trump has not made up his mind but appears to be leaning toward major action, officials said, cautioning that he has backed off at the last moment before.
"The Department is a planning organization, and its job is to develop and execute military options ordered by the President," a senior Pentagon official said.
"Would I tell you that? But the answer is no. There will not be a strike," Trump told reporters Sunday when asked whether action could come that day.
"We have two very different sets of intelligence reports," Trump said. "Do I make a deal with them, or do I finish them off? That’s the only question," Trump also told Fox News.
"Remember, we now control the Hormuz Strait. They get nothing. Yes, we get everything," he added.
An unnamed U.S. official told Israel's i24NEWS that Trump is prepared to "shift gears on Iran" and that strikes are no longer "a question of if, but of when."
U.S. intelligence assessments indicate Iran and the Houthis would likely retaliate immediately against American personnel and facilities in the region and possibly beyond if attacked, sources told CNN. They are unlikely to strike preemptively, one source said.
An Oct. 23 memo from Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: "Iran has substantially increased efforts to target U.S. personnel."
The U.S. is expected to keep quietly pulling personnel from Middle East embassies, and nonessential troops due in the next rotation have been told they will not deploy.
CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper visited the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. "We continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Gulf partners and the shipping industry," he said. "This visit underscores our strong commitment to continued freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz."
One U.S. official called the status quo around the strait "untenable" in the long term.
Netanyahu has pushed for new attacks, but U.S. officials asked him to wait for joint operations, two U.S. officials and an Israeli security source told CNN.
"Netanyahu really wanted and tried to convince Trump for a joint attack in Iran before the elections, and Trump did not give a green light," the Israeli source said.
Israeli army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir told Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine a strike would harm Israel’s elections and lead to their postponement, the source added.
"The plans are ready, waiting for Trump’s approval, could be after the midterms," another source said.
The U.S. president also renewed his endorsement of Netanyahu on Sunday ahead of Tuesday's, Oct. 27, Israeli election.
"As everyone is aware, including the enemy, Bibi and I have had a great relationship in winning together," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Vote for Bibi Netanyahu for Prime Minister. We have to finish the job that we started!"
In his Oct. 18 letter, Trump wrote: "If Israel has the wrong Leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so." He concluded: "Bibi Netanyahu will never let you down!"
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