US forces ready for major strikes on Iran within 96 hours of Trump’s order: Report
US intelligence officials believe Iran and the Houthis are unlikely to launch pre-emptive escalatory attacks against American personnel or Israel at this stage.
Published: Oct 26, 2026, 03:42 PM IST
| Updated: Oct 26, 2026, 03:47 PM IST
US intelligence officials believe Iran and the Houthis are unlikely to launch pre-emptive escalatory attacks against American personnel or Israel at this stage.
US forces deployed in West Asia are prepared to launch new, potentially large-scale military operations against Iran within 96 hours of receiving an order from President Donald Trump, with sufficient military assets already positioned in the region.
Citing two US officials, CNN reported that the potential operations are expected to go beyond limited strikes on Iranian radar systems, missile launchers and other military assets that can be rebuilt quickly, the officials told CNN.
“It will be a big effort,” one official said.
The report said the assessment had also been echoed by other serving and former US officials familiar with internal military planning discussions. Some believe the question is not whether Trump will authorise an attack, but when.
An order could come at any point before the end of the year, although it is considered more likely after the US midterm elections, CNN reported.
Pentagon draws up wider target list
US officials have acknowledged that Iranian forces are now more familiar with American military tactics, making it more difficult for Washington to destroy all its intended targets.
However, military leaders at US Central Command (CENTCOM) and the Pentagon have been developing an extensive list of potential targets, including Iranian energy infrastructure, military installations and nuclear facilities.
Officials told CNN that Trump has yet to decide on his next steps after the midterm elections, although he appears to be leaning towards major military action. They cautioned that the US President has previously appeared inclined to pursue certain actions before backing away at the last moment.
The White House declined to comment on the report.
A senior Pentagon official told CNN in a statement: “The Department is a planning organisation, and its job is to develop and execute military options ordered by the President.”
Iran and Houthis prepare for possible retaliation
Recent US intelligence assessments indicate that Iran and Yemen’s Houthi rebels are taking the possibility of renewed American attacks seriously, potentially including operations conducted alongside Israel, according to two additional sources familiar with the assessments.
If Washington and Israel launch fresh military operations against Iran, Tehran and the Houthis would likely retaliate immediately by targeting American personnel and facilities across the region and potentially beyond, the sources told CNN.
An unclassified memo dated October 23, sent by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said US intelligence had found that “Iran has substantially increased efforts to target US personnel”. It added that plotting efforts “have reached advanced stages in both the Middle East and certain other countries”, CNN had previously reported.
US intelligence officials believe Iran and the Houthis are unlikely to launch pre-emptive escalatory attacks against American personnel or Israel at this stage. However, one source familiar with the latest assessments told CNN that they would not hesitate to retaliate if Iran were targeted first by US or Israeli forces.
US steps up precautions at regional facilities
The threat posed by Iran and the Houthis is also one reason the US is expected to continue quietly withdrawing personnel from its embassies across West Asia in the coming days, according to the report.
The US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is currently the only American diplomatic facility in the region subject to an ordered departure. However, one source told CNN that similar directives were expected at other facilities, while missions without such orders would reduce staffing under personnel caps.
Non-essential US military personnel expected to deploy to West Asia as part of the next troop rotation have also been told they will no longer be sent, a US official said, underscoring concerns about a possible regional escalation.
Despite an increase in the number of tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices remain high, partly because of the threat of potential Iranian attacks.
One US official described the situation around the strategic waterway as “untenable” in the long term. The official said it could be one factor pushing Trump towards military action, unless a diplomatic breakthrough emerges at the last moment.
CNN reported that questions remain over whether the White House has a broader strategy for bringing the conflict to an end.
Netanyahu pushes for fresh strikes against Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been pressing for additional attacks against Iran. However, US officials have asked him to wait until the Trump administration is ready to conduct joint operations, according to two US officials and an Israeli security source cited by 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 security source told CNN.
The source said one reason Trump declined was that Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir had told US General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, that an attack would harm the elections in Israel and lead to their postponement.
Israel had been preparing for the possibility of further attacks against Iran over the preceding week and had lobbied US officials to support and complement the strikes, a third source briefed on the matter told CNN.
However, senior US officials, including Trump, had told Israel to hold off, signalling that the two countries could launch joint operations soon.
Israel appears to have postponed additional strikes in the immediate term while building up preparations for potential joint operations with the US, likely after the American midterm elections, the sources told CNN.
The report added that Israel appeared to have agreed to delay fresh strikes partly because it needs American support for missile defence. Retaliation by Iran and the Houthis could put further pressure on Israel’s defensive munitions.
Questions remain over Israel’s strategic objectives
Recent US intelligence assessments also indicate that Netanyahu and his allies still lack a clear strategic objective beyond demonstrating some form of “progress” and continuing to weaken the Iranian regime, one source familiar with the assessments told CNN.
During a speech at an IDF graduation ceremony this week, Netanyahu said his directive to the IDF, the Mossad and other security agencies was to topple the regime in Iran.
“The plans are ready, waiting for Trump’s approval, could be after the midterms,” the same source told CNN.
Israel denies reports of Netanyahu-Zamir rift
Separately, Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 reported on Sunday night that a confrontation appeared to be brewing between Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff General Eyal Zamir over the possibility of launching attacks on Iran ahead of the elections.
On Monday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz denied reports of a dispute between the Prime Minister and Zamir over possible military action against Iran. He said Israel had no intention of launching an attack before the country’s elections, according to The Times of Israel.
“The reports of disagreements between the political leadership and the IDF on Iran are completely baseless and false,” Katz said in a statement.
“I state unequivocally that Israel had no intention of initiating an attack on Iran before the elections in Israel, while making clear that if Iran attacks Israel, we will respond with great force,” he said, adding that “all reports on this matter are completely false”.
(with ANI inputs)
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