US poised to strike Iran within days as military buildup nears completion
2026-02-20 - 05:02
The United States has positioned military forces for potential strikes against Iran as early as this weekend, with President Donald Trump warning Tehran has approximately two weeks to accept nuclear terms or face consequences. Senior US national security officials have informed Trump that forces are ready, though a final decision awaits as indirect negotiations continue in Geneva . Unprecedented Military Buildup The Pentagon has assembled its largest air and naval force in the Middle East since the 2003 Iraq invasion, including two carrier strike groups—USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford—along with dozens of F-35s, F-22s, and support aircraft . Additional Patriot and THAAD air defense systems have been deployed to protect bases and allies against potential Iranian retaliation. Some personnel have been repositioned as a "standard precaution" ahead of possible operations . Multiple Strike Options Trump is reviewing several military options, from limited strikes on Iranian military and government facilities to pressure Tehran into nuclear concessions, to a broader weeks-long campaign potentially aimed at regime change . Officials emphasize the more limited approach could escalate gradually until Tehran either abandons its nuclear program or leadership collapses . Any operation would likely avoid ground troops, focusing instead on air and missile strikes against nuclear facilities, missile sites, and Revolutionary Guard infrastructure. Diplomatic Window Closing While second-round Geneva talks produced "progress" and "guiding principles," Tehran's strategy appears focused on buying time . Iran continues enrichment activities it insists are peaceful, while Trump demands complete cessation. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt maintained diplomacy remains "first option," but military timelines suggest patience is limited . Russia and Iran conducted joint naval drills Thursday in the Gulf of Oman, a show of defiance amid the buildup .