The US military has completed preparations for potential strikes against Iran that could take place as early as this weekend, according to reports citing sources familiar with the matter, though US President Donald Trump has not taken a final decision.

 

According to the reports, the White House has been briefed that US forces could be ready for action by the weekend following the deployment of additional air and naval assets to the Middle East. Sources cited in the reports said that the president has privately discussed both military and non-military options and has sought advice from senior officials and allied leaders.

 

Senior US national security officials held a meeting in the Situation Room on Wednesday to review developments related to Iran, according to people familiar with the discussions. Trump was also briefed by special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner regarding indirect contacts with Iran that took place a day earlier. The reports said it remains uncertain whether a decision will be taken before the weekend.

 

“He is spending a lot of time thinking about this,” a source was quoted as saying.

 

US and Iranian representatives exchanged messages for approximately three-and-a-half hours during indirect talks held in Geneva on Tuesday, according to the reports. Iran’s lead negotiator said that the discussions resulted in agreement on a “set of guiding principles,” while a US official said “there are still a lot of details to discuss.”

 

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Iran was expected to provide additional details on its negotiating position “in the next couple of weeks.” She did not say whether the president would delay any potential military action during that period.

 

Leavitt said diplomacy remained the administration’s preferred approach but confirmed military action had not been ruled out. “There’s many reasons and arguments that one could make for a strike against Iran,” she was quoted as saying.

 

The reports also said the US has continued to reposition forces in the region, including the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford, which could arrive as early as this weekend. US Air Force refuelling aircraft and fighter jets based in the United Kingdom have also been moved closer to the Middle East.

 

Separately, satellite imagery analysed by the Institute for Science and International Security shows Iran reinforcing several nuclear facilities by covering parts of the sites with concrete and soil amid mounting US military pressure.