US military weighs sustained Iran strikes, casting shadow over diplomacy
The plan raises regional conflict fears and comes ahead of next week’s talks between the two sides in Geneva
The US military is preparing for the possibility of sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran if President Donald Trump orders an attack, according to two US officials, in what could become a far more serious conflict than previously seen between the countries.
The disclosure by the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the planning, raises the stakes for the diplomacy under way between the United States and Iran.
US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will hold negotiations with Iran on Tuesday in Geneva, with representatives from Oman acting as mediators.
In a BBC interview released on Sunday, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said his nation is ready to consider compromises to reach a nuclear deal with the US if Washington is willing to discuss lifting sanctions.
Iran has said it is prepared to discuss curbs on its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of sanctions, but has repeatedly ruled out linking the issue to other questions including missiles.
Takht-Ravanchi confirmed that a second round of nuclear talks would take place on Tuesday, after Tehran and Washington resumed discussions in Oman earlier this month.