The United States Department of Defense has stepped up preparations for a potential resumption of large-scale military operations in the Middle East. According to influential publication Axios, citing anonymous sources within the American defense department, Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth has ordered the US Central Command to complete all necessary preparations for strikes against Iran.
Pentagon Position and Timing Uncertainty
The published defense directive does not specify exact dates or deadlines for the start of a potential military campaign. Insiders explain that this measure is preventative and preparatory in nature, as US President Donald Trump has not yet made a final political decision to transition to active bombing. Nonetheless, the country's military leadership aims to have fully prepared plans ready in case of an emergency order from the White House.
Analysts and security experts note a high probability that the active phase of the confrontation could unfold in the coming months. According to observers, the escalation could occur even before the US midterm congressional elections, as well as amid political processes in Israel. Potential strikes by American aviation and missile forces could target key strategic Iranian facilities, including energy infrastructure and nuclear capacities.
Diplomatic-Political Context and Contacts with Israel
The situation in the region is heating up not only militarily but also diplomatically. It has been reported that on October 7, US leader Donald Trump held a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This marked the second contact between the politicians in just a few days. Ahead of these talks, the head of the Israeli government held a closed-door meeting with key national security officials, where the Iranian threat was the main topic of discussion.
Contradictory Data
According to the Israeli side, the current mindset of the leadership in Tehran is characterized as extremely paranoid and desperate, which creates risks of a preemptive strike on their part. At the same time, a number of experts express doubts about the inevitability of a full-scale war, pointing out that the White House may use the threat of military pressure exclusively as an instrument of diplomatic deterrence and coercion to force Tehran into negotiations without escalating into an open armed conflict.
