📰 16 sources 25 articles · 24 Oct 2026, 16:17 → 17 days ago

US preparations for possible strikes on Iran and wait for Trump's decision

The story covers reports of US military reinforcements in the Middle East, including ammunition shipments to the aircraft carrier George Washington and the evacuation of personnel from embassies and bases, in preparation for a possible resumption of military operations against Iran. CNN reports say forces are ready for potentially large-scale strikes within 96 hours of an order from Trump, while Tehran threatens a multiplied response and Trump escalates his rhetoric about a deal or confrontation.

📍 Where things stand: No final decision to launch strikes has been announced so far; reports point to military readiness and a wait for Trump's decision, likely after the midterm elections, amid Iranian threats and an Israeli denial of reports about a joint attack.

⏱️ Timeline

24 Oct 2026, 16:17 The Wall Street Journal reported that the US aircraft carrier George Washington is receiving large shipments of ammunition and missiles as part of preparations for a possible military escalation against Iran. The same day, reports said US warships in the Middle East, including the George Washington and an accompanying destroyer in the Arabian Sea, were preparing for a possible escalation and rounds of attacks in the coming weeks, amid stalled efforts to stabilize the ceasefire and differences over the nuclear program and navigation security in the Strait of Hormuz.
24 Oct 2026, 21:02 Diplomatic sources told Al-Jadeed channel that military preparations strengthen the possibility of a war on Iran, although US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled out it happening before the US midterm elections.
24 Oct 2026, 21:30 The Wall Street Journal reported that the United States evacuated personnel from embassies and military bases in the Middle East after intelligence indicated that possible Iranian plots to target Americans had reached advanced stages. It quoted officials as saying the Trump administration is preparing for a possible resumption of military operations against Iran after the midterms without a final decision, and that Trump was briefed on options including striking nuclear facilities, infrastructure and Iranian islands.
24 Oct 2026, 22:15 At a rally in Florida, President Donald Trump warned Iran and gave it a choice between a political agreement or military options, referring to previous strikes and the possibility of repeating them. The Wall Street Journal quoted US officials as saying there was still no final decision, but forces were raising readiness and conducting drills and loading ammunition on the aircraft carrier George Washington and a destroyer in the Arabian Sea.
25 Oct 2026, 12:33 As preparations escalated, Iran's Revolutionary Guard threatened a response 'many times larger,' and Iranian officials spoke of targeting bases, ships, energy and communications facilities and internet cables in the Gulf. Euronews cited reports that US Central Command was planning additional strikes if authorized by the White House, and that Trump was considering resuming military operations.
25 Oct 2026, 15:28 US reports based on satellite imagery analysis revealed a list of Iranian sites that could be within targeting range, foremost the deep underground 'Jabal al-Fa's' nuclear complex near Natanz in Isfahan province, the Fordow uranium enrichment facility in Qom province, the Arak heavy water facility in the west of the country, in addition to research and development centers affiliated with Malik Ashtar University of Technology.
25 Oct 2026, 16:20 Donald Trump told Fox News that his current question was 'whether I make a deal with the Iranians or eliminate them permanently.'
26 Oct 2026, 06:52 CNN quoted US officials as saying that US forces in the Middle East are ready to launch new military operations, potentially large-scale, against Iran within 96 hours of receiving an order from President Donald Trump, and that currently deployed forces are sufficient to carry them out. The two officials said the scope of operations could exceed the limited strikes that targeted radars and missile platforms, and that Central Command and the Pentagon are preparing a target list including energy infrastructure, military sites and nuclear facilities, with plans awaiting Trump's approval and the decision likely after the midterm elections.
26 Oct 2026, 12:45 The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz denied the accuracy of reports saying Netanyahu was seeking a joint attack before the Israeli elections.
26 Oct 2026, 20:50 Israel's Kan channel reported that US President Donald Trump is considering the option of military action in Iran immediately after the US congressional midterm elections, noting that this scenario could include Israel and affect government formation.
27 Oct 2026, 04:16 At a Republican Party rally in Mississippi, Trump said Iran was only two weeks away from possessing a nuclear missile, that it started the war against his country, and that he was not convinced by the truce with it and considered it a waste of time. He added that oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz exceed pre-war levels and that oil prices are lower than before, while later saying he would not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon and that he did not prefer the short-term ceasefire his administration reached in June.

Timeline written by AI from the sources below; updated as new reports arrive.

⚠️ Sources disagree

Timing of the joint attack sought by Netanyahu

before the US midterm elections according to العين الإخبارية
before the Israeli elections according to عربي21

Netanyahu's position on the timing of war before the US midterms

Trump and Netanyahu ruled out the war occurring before the US midterm elections according to IMLebanon
Netanyahu pressed for a joint attack before the US midterm elections according to العين الإخبارية

Figures as each outlet reported them at the time. We do not judge which is correct; numbers often change as events develop.

How the sources covered it

Some coverage focused on US force movements, logistical preparations and the target bank, while others focused on reports of readiness for strikes within 96 hours and their scope, while later coverage led with Trump's escalating statements.

IMLebanon It focused on the Wall Street Journal report about ammunition and missile shipments to the aircraft carrier George Washington, and on diplomatic sources saying preparations strengthen the possibility of war while Trump and Netanyahu ruled out it happening before the midterms.
جريدة القدس It opened with details of US warship movements in the Middle East and the Arabian Sea and their preparation for rounds of attacks in the coming weeks, then later focused on readiness for large-scale operations within 96 hours and Netanyahu's pressure.
Lebanon Debate It highlighted the evacuation of American personnel from embassies and bases, Trump's options including nuclear facilities, infrastructure and Iranian islands, and a wide target bank inside Iran.
Euronews.com It focused on US Central Command plans for additional strikes and Iran's threats of a response 'many times larger,' then on readiness for large-scale strikes within 96 hours and the wait for Trump's approval.
CNN Arabic It led with its report from US officials that forces in the Middle East are ready for large-scale operations within 96 hours of a Trump order, that the scope could exceed radars and missile platforms, and with a target list including infrastructure.
annahar.com It led with Trump's statements at a Republican rally in Mississippi that Iran was two weeks away from a nuclear missile and that the truce was 'a waste of time,' alongside a reference to US forces' readiness within 96 hours.

AI comparison of what each outlet emphasized. It describes emphasis, not accuracy.

IMLebanonجريدة القدسLebanon Debateشبكة تواصل الإخباريةأخبار السعودية | saudi newsEuronews.comlebanon debateAgenzia NovaCNN Arabicالعين الإخباريةEuronewsعربي21المترجم احمد المقادمةاليوم السابعannahar.comسكاي نيوز عربيةمنصة مشيرب