Pentagon Orders CENTCOM to Prepare for Possible Iran Strikes

The Pentagon has instructed U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) to complete preparations for a possible resumption of major military operations against Iran, raising the prospect of renewed strikes in the Middle East as diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran remain stalled.

According to U.S. officials cited by Axios, the directive was issued several days ago but did not include a specific date for launching an attack. President Donald Trump has also not made a final decision on whether to authorize renewed large-scale strikes.

The preparations could nevertheless pave the way for a major U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iranian targets, including energy facilities, infrastructure and nuclear-related sites. U.S. and Israeli officials told Axios that renewed operations could take place before the U.S. midterm elections on November 3, although no timetable has been announced.

The developments come after Trump’s senior national security advisers met at Camp David last week to discuss the conflict with Iran and the wider regional situation, including the conflict involving Houthi forces in Yemen. The meeting was chaired by Vice President JD Vance, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio later confirmed that senior officials had gathered for discussions on U.S. foreign policy.

At the centre of the latest escalation is the failure of negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Qatar has been acting as a mediator, but Iranian officials have yet to respond to a U.S. counterproposal that includes demands for significant restrictions on Iran’s nuclear programme. The lack of progress has increased concerns that diplomacy could give way to renewed military action.

Iran, meanwhile, has been preparing for the possibility of another major U.S. attack. Reuters reported earlier this month that Iranian commanders were reviewing potential responses and that Tehran had instructed allied groups in Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq to prepare for coordinated action if Washington resumes large-scale attacks.

The nuclear issue remains one of the most sensitive elements of the confrontation. Reuters reported this week that the International Atomic Energy Agency had previously estimated Iran possessed 440.9 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% before earlier U.S. and Israeli strikes severely damaged known enrichment facilities. The current status of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and some of its nuclear capabilities remains uncertain because international inspectors have not been able to fully assess the damaged sites.

A renewed U.S. campaign could also have consequences well beyond Iran. Energy facilities are among the potential targets reportedly under consideration, while any disruption to the Strait of Hormuz could affect international oil and gas supplies. The waterway is a major route for global energy shipments, making the possibility of further military escalation a concern for energy markets and countries dependent on imported fuel.

The timing is also politically sensitive in Washington. The U.S. midterm elections are scheduled for November 3, and reports that military action could resume before the vote have added a political dimension to the debate over the administration’s Iran strategy. NBC News separately reported that Trump’s national security team has been considering military options for a possible resumption of major operations in the coming weeks, including before the elections.

For now, however, preparations do not amount to a confirmed decision to attack. The Pentagon’s instructions give CENTCOM the ability to move quickly if Trump authorizes action, but the final decision remains with the president.

The situation leaves the region facing two competing possibilities: renewed diplomatic negotiations aimed at limiting Iran’s nuclear programme, or a return to large-scale military operations that could widen the conflict and place additional pressure on regional security, energy supplies and international markets.