The US military has been placed on heightened readiness for potential strikes against Iran, according to multiple reports, as President Donald Trump considers his next move amid escalating tensions over Tehran’s nuclear programme. Officials say operational plans are prepared, but no final decision has yet been made.
Weekend window raises stakes
Sources familiar with the discussions indicate that a military operation could come as early as this weekend, should diplomatic efforts fail. The White House has simultaneously urged Iran to “make a deal” with Trump, signalling that Washington still prefers a negotiated outcome — but is prepared to escalate if talks stall.
The renewed brinkmanship follows weeks of mounting pressure over Iran’s uranium enrichment activities and regional security concerns. US defence planners are reportedly positioning assets in the region, while allies have been briefed on contingency scenarios.
Diplomacy backed by force
Trump has framed the moment as a choice for Tehran: return to negotiations or face potentially severe consequences. Administration officials describe the strategy as “maximum leverage”, combining military preparedness with economic and diplomatic pressure.
While details remain closely held, analysts say any strike would likely be calibrated — aimed at nuclear or military infrastructure rather than broader targets — in order to avoid triggering a wider regional conflict. Still, even limited action risks retaliation through proxy forces across the Middle East.
Iranian leaders, for their part, have warned that any attack would be met with a decisive response, raising fears of a rapid escalation involving shipping lanes, energy infrastructure, and neighbouring states.
Markets and allies on edge
Financial markets have reacted cautiously, with oil prices showing sensitivity to headlines as investors weigh the risk of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. European and Asian partners are also watching closely, concerned about spillover effects on trade and global energy supplies.
Diplomatically, Washington has engaged key allies in an effort to present a unified front. However, differences remain over how far pressure should go, particularly among countries that favour reviving a multilateral nuclear agreement rather than pursuing unilateral military action.
A familiar crossroads
For Trump, the moment echoes earlier confrontations with Iran, where threats of force were paired with offers of dialogue. Supporters argue that firm posture compels concessions; critics warn that brinkmanship increases the chance of miscalculation.
Defence officials stress that readiness does not equal inevitability. Military planning, they note, is designed to provide options — not dictate outcomes. The final call rests with the president.
What comes next
With US forces poised and diplomatic channels still technically open, the coming days are likely to prove decisive. Whether this standoff ends at the negotiating table or tips into confrontation will depend on rapid exchanges behind closed doors — and on Tehran’s willingness to engage under Trump’s terms.
For now, the world waits as Washington balances deterrence with diplomacy, and as a volatile flashpoint once again tests the fragile equilibrium of Middle Eastern security.
Newshub Editorial in North America – 19 February 2026
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