U.S. officials said President Donald Trump is expected to decide in the coming days whether to expand military operations against Iran and resume large-scale combat, according to Fox News. They stressed, however, that no final decision has been made.
The officials said early Tuesday, Jordan time, that if Trump authorizes the resumption of full-scale military operations, the campaign would be “more intense and comprehensive” than the U.S. airstrikes carried out over the past 10 consecutive nights, which began on July 7 and targeted Iranian military sites linked to operations around the Strait of Hormuz.
One official said U.S. forces have largely avoided conducting strikes near Tehran or targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, adding, “That could change if a decision is made to resume large-scale military operations.”
The officials also said U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is preparing to reinforce its military presence in the region by deploying additional fighter aircraft, including F-16 and F-35 jets, as well as KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft, in anticipation of any decision by Trump to broaden the military campaign.
One official confirmed reports that additional U.S. military aircraft are being moved to the Middle East, describing the deployments as preparatory measures pending Trump’s final decision.
“These movements are part of ongoing preparations, but they are preliminary until a final decision is made,” the official said, noting that aerial refueling aircraft have been relocated to Israel from other locations in the region.
The official added that the United States has not observed any signs of a large-scale air bridge through Europe, which typically precedes the deployment of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers or major aircraft transfers directly from the United States.
He said part of the repositioning of aerial refueling aircraft is linked to the U.S. military’s withdrawal from Ben Gurion International Airport following the conclusion of Operation Epic Fury, adding that basing the aircraft at military facilities inside Israel provides greater protection should the United States resume large-scale military operations and Israel join the air campaign.
“All of this remains under discussion at the moment,” the official said, adding that Israel is likely to participate in the operations “if Trump decides to significantly expand the war.”
The war began on February 28, when Israel and the United States launched attacks on Iran, prompting Tehran to close the Strait of Hormuz, which before the conflict served as the primary transit route for nearly one-fifth of the world’s energy supplies.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the main flashpoints in the conflict. Iran’s control over the strategic waterway has given it considerable leverage, effectively providing Tehran with a powerful geopolitical bargaining tool.
