After targeting Iranian military and defense installations over the past five months, the United States is now preparing for a military strike on the country’s energy infrastructure. Israel is set to join US forces in this potential joint military operation.
This information was reported by the US news outlet CBS News on Friday.
The CBS News report states that US defense forces aim to complete the first phase of attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure before financial markets open on Monday, August 3, to avoid a potential global economic catastrophe. However, a specific timeframe for the attack has not yet been finalized.
Citing sources at the Pentagon—the headquarters of the US Department of Defense—the report further notes that Israel has already been informed of the plan. Tel Aviv is keen to coordinate fully with Washington regarding the timing of the strike.
However, sources indicated that President Donald Trump has not yet given final approval for this military action.
It is worth noting that the conflict began on February 28 with joint US-Israeli air and missile strikes on Iran. Two days later, on March 2, Israel temporarily withdrew from this conflict to launch an operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon, while US forces continued the war against Iran independently.
CBS News contacted Israeli officials to seek details regarding the initiative for a new joint strike on Iran’s energy sector and the potential formation of an alliance.
An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the news outlet that they were unaware of any plans for a new joint strike with the US on Iran and that there had been no communication from Washington regarding the matter.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Donald Trump held a high-level meeting with cabinet members at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland. During the meeting, he stated, “We will hit them very hard.” The blow will be so severe that, at some point, they will be compelled to say, “Stop, we can no longer endure this.”
Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the White House, stated, “The United States will ultimately prevail in this conflict. Under President Trump’s strict oversight, Iran will under no circumstances be able to acquire a nuclear bomb.”
According to Pentagon sources, key power plants and major oil refineries in Iran have been identified as primary targets for this potential new strike. Additionally, cutting off power completely to the capital, Tehran, is being treated as a strategic priority.
Meanwhile, a report by another influential U.S. media outlet, The Wall Street Journal, presents a different account. It claims that during a meeting at Camp David on Thursday, President Trump granted final approval in principle to strike Iran’s energy infrastructure.
However, citing sources, The Wall Street Journal also noted that if significant diplomatic progress is made at the last minute, President Trump might hold off on the potential strike and return to negotiations.
Tehran has reacted strongly to the U.S. threats. On Friday, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency, citing security officials, reported that Iran is fully prepared to launch an immediate and massive counter-attack in response to any potential or surprise strike by the United States.
