U.S. military commanders have informed the White House that forces in the Middle East could have a “potential strike window” as early as this Saturday. While the Pentagon has assembled air and naval assets in the region, including the USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Abraham Lincoln carrier groups, President Donald Trump has not authorized an attack. Sources familiar with the planning describe the buildup as a “maximum pressure” lever to influence negotiations, not a signal of an imminent strike.
National security officials met in the White House Situation Room on Wednesday to review contingency plans. Trump was briefed on the second round of indirect talks in Geneva, where Omani intermediaries facilitated three and a half hours of note exchanges between U.S. and Iranian delegations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the sides agreed on “general guiding principles” on nuclear constraints, but U.S. officials, including Vice President JD Vance, said major gaps remain.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said diplomacy remains the President’s “first option,” while warning Iran would be “wise” to reach a deal soon. She declined to set a firm deadline but said the administration expects more clarity within two weeks, as global powers urge restraint to avoid broader regional escalation.
