The United States is reportedly weighing targeted “precision strikes” on Iranian officials as military forces in the Middle East are reinforced, sources told Middle East Eye (MEE) on Monday. While the strikes could occur as early as this week, officials cautioned that the timeline remains fluid.
Discussions within the Trump administration have been described as “chaotic,” with debate ongoing over potential Iranian retaliation. The administration has considered action against Iran for nearly a month, citing the government’s deadly crackdown on protesters that left thousands dead.
After initially urging demonstrators to “take over” state institutions, President Donald Trump later announced a de-escalation, stating the “killing has stopped.” Gulf allies, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman, reportedly lobbied against immediate US strikes. Analysts and former officials, however, suggest the pause may be temporary.
A former US intelligence official told MEE that Trump has not abandoned efforts to push for “regime change” in Tehran. Randa Slim, head of the Stimson Center’s Middle East programme, described the administration’s de-escalation as “temporary.”
The US military has strengthened its position since early January, replenishing missile interceptors exhausted during last year’s 12-day conflict with Iran. Additional warplanes, air defence systems, and naval vessels, including the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, have been deployed to the Middle East. The carrier carries F-35 and F/A-18 fighter jets, EA-18G Growler electronic-warfare planes, and is accompanied by guided-missile destroyers. A squadron of F-15 warplanes has also reportedly been stationed at Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, as Gulf states have restricted US use of their airspace for potential strikes.
Trump confirmed the build-up in a statement last Thursday: “We have a big force going toward Iran. I’d rather not see anything happen, but we’re watching them very closely.”
Iran, meanwhile, has signaled a strong warning. Hamidreza Hajibabaei, Iran’s deputy speaker of parliament, told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting in Bahrain that the country would deliver “a decisive response” to any US military action. He accused the US of undermining international norms and said Tehran would respond proportionally in line with its rights under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
“The Islamic Republic has never been and will never initiate threats, tensions, or confrontations,” Hajibabaei said, “However, any direct or indirect act of aggression will be met with a decisive, immediate, and proportionate response.”
Tensions in the region remain high following the 12-day US-Israel-Iran conflict last year, which saw significant missile exchanges, air defence deployments, and damage to civilian infrastructure in Israel. Analysts warn that a new US strike could provoke severe retaliation, including attacks on US bases or disruption of the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20 percent of global oil passes.
While Gulf allies remain divided over US action – Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Turkey reportedly oppose strikes, while Israeli media suggest the UAE and Jordan may support them – the UAE has publicly stated that its territory, airspace, and waters will not be used for military action against Iran.
The situation underscores a growing risk of escalation in the region as the US continues its military buildup and Tehran responds with warnings of decisive action.
Source: Middle East Eye