United States President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a major military operation against Iran, with officials claiming a new wave of strikes could become the most extensive bombardment carried out during the ongoing conflict.
According to reports, the potential operation could begin as early as this weekend and may continue for several days, targeting key Iranian energy infrastructure as Washington seeks to pressure Tehran into returning to negotiations.
The planned strikes are expected to involve coordination with Israel, marking a possible escalation after previous hostilities between the two countries resumed following the collapse of a ceasefire agreement.
Trump has yet to give final approval for the operation but was reported to be seriously considering the move. Earlier, he said the United States would launch powerful attacks on Iran’s energy sector in an effort to force its leadership back to the negotiating table.
“We will be hitting them very hard,” Trump said, adding that sustained pressure could eventually push Tehran to reconsider its position.
Iran has warned that any potential attack by the United States and Israel would be viewed as a reckless act and said it had prepared responses targeting critical infrastructure if further strikes were launched.
The latest escalation follows a series of developments after Trump previously claimed that negotiations with Iran were progressing. However, tensions intensified after Iran launched ballistic missiles at US forces in Jordan, prompting Washington to retaliate with strikes against Iranian military facilities.
The US Central Command said its latest operations targeted dozens of sites linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including military command centres, missile and drone facilities, coastal defence systems and maritime capabilities.
Iranian state media reported casualties following the attacks, including deaths on Qeshm Island, a major oil export hub, while explosions were also reported in Khuzestan province.
The conflict has continued for months, with both sides remaining divided over key issues including Iran’s nuclear programme and control over the Strait of Hormuz.
While Washington has demanded major concessions from Tehran, Iranian officials have maintained their position, raising concerns that further military confrontation could prolong the crisis.
