WASHINGTON/CAIRO/TEHRAN – The Pentagon is prepared to launch new and potentially major military operations against Iran "within 96 hours of receiving" an order from US President Donald Trump, CNN reported on Monday.
According to the report, "sufficient" forces are now deployed in the Middle East to carry out the potential strikes.
Some US officials believe Trump's order could come any time before the end of the year, most likely after the upcoming US midterm elections, and the scope of new US military operations would likely go beyond efforts to simply "mow the lawn" or maintain the status quo by striking radars, launchers and other Iranian assets that can be quickly reconstituted, it added.
US intelligence officials believe Iran and the Houthis are unlikely to carry out preemptive escalatory attacks against American personnel or Israel at this point but would not hesitate to respond if Iran is targeted first by US or Israeli forces, the report said.
ALSO READ: Iran: Hormuz Strait's routes, management not to return to pre-war era
The New York Times reported last week that the United States and Israel have developed specific plans for renewed strikes against Iran after the US midterm elections, with targets likely to include Iran's energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and missile and drone arsenal.
It noted that it is far from certain that Trump will approve fresh strikes, as he has repeatedly canceled plans for a return to major combat this year.
Hormuz navigation, nuclear program
During a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in Cairo on Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said there was an opportunity to reach understandings to help ensure freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and resolve issues related to Iran's nuclear program through peaceful means.
Both sides affirmed the need to move forward with reforming the United Nations system, including the Security Council, in a manner that enhances its representation and fairness and strengthens its ability to respond effectively to contemporary international challenges and crises.
Israel election outcome 'makes no difference to Tehran'
Speaking at a weekly press conference in Tehran on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the outcome of Israel's parliamentary election on Tuesday would make no difference to Iran.
Baghaei criticized Israel's record in West Asia, saying it had brought nothing to the region but "violence and massacre". He also accused Israel of continuing what he called "genocide" against Palestinians and said Israeli threats against Iran were part of its hostile conduct.
Responding to Israeli officials' claims that Iran might launch preemptive strikes to disrupt the election, Baghaei warned that Israel was "highly adept at carrying out false-flag operations".
READ MORE: Trump floats new Iran strikes, says US could take ‘whole country’
He said Iran was closely monitoring developments and that its armed forces would not hesitate to defend the country's territory, adding that Iran was in a state of war and would exercise its right to self-defense.
