Washington, United States – The American newspaper *The Hill* has revealed that the U.S. Department of Defense (the Pentagon) has prepared comprehensive military plans to launch new strikes against Iran, potentially to be carried out following the congressional midterm elections this coming November. This military development comes amid escalating threats from Iran to respond with even greater severity. Meanwhile, there is growing international concern over the outbreak of a new phase in a conflict that has already been ongoing for more than eight months.
The newspaper, citing informed sources who requested anonymity, reported that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has drafted several offensive options and presented them to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. These options are now awaiting final approval from the White House. In this context, U.S. President Donald Trump intends to keep all options on the table until a definitive decision is made regarding the resumption of military operations.
Two main paths for potential strikes
According to the report, the options under consideration include two main courses of action: the first involves resuming strikes against sensitive military and political sites deep within Iranian territory, while the second entails expanding the scope of attacks to include energy facilities and civilian infrastructure. This becomes even more likely should Israel take an active part in the operations.
Intelligence Insights and Pentagon Stances
In the same vein, Harrison Mann, a former official at the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency’s Middle East and Africa Center, explained that U.S. forces have largely avoided conducting deep-strike operations within Iranian territory since last April. Their operations have been confined to coastal targets, a measure intended to limit escalation and reduce the risk of aircraft being shot down. Mann suggested that the involvement of Israel could increase the likelihood of strikes against infrastructure and energy facilities. Meanwhile, a Pentagon official emphasized that the Department’s role is limited to developing options and presenting them to the President; the official declined to comment on hypothetical scenarios.
Military reinforcements and a large-scale naval buildup in the region
On the ground, the United States maintains more than 50,000 military personnel and approximately 20 warships in the Middle East. Some of these vessels are participating in enforcing a naval blockade in the Arabian Sea. The region currently hosts two aircraft carrier strike groups, with the USS Theodore Roosevelt heading toward the operational theater—potentially to replace the USS George Washington. Additionally, around 4,000 Marines and sailors have been deployed aboard amphibious assault ships, led by the USS Makin Island. These developments come amid hints from Trump regarding the possible targeting of the “Peakaxe Mountain” facility near Natanz.