The U.S. military is actively preparing for the possibility of sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran if President Donald Trump orders an attack, according to two U.S. officials speaking anonymously to Reuters. This disclosure significantly raises the stakes for ongoing diplomacy between Washington and Tehran. U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to hold negotiations with Iran in Geneva on Tuesday, mediated by Oman.

However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned that reaching a deal with Tehran is 'very hard to do,' despite Trump's preference for one. Meanwhile, Trump has amassed significant military forces in the region, including an additional aircraft carrier deployed to the Middle East, adding thousands of troops, fighter aircraft, and guided-missile destroyers capable of strikes and defense.