The US military has been building up forces in the Middle East, including the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group already in the region and the USS Gerald R. Ford en route, along with dozens of refueling tankers, fighter jets, and submarines. Officials told multiple outlets that the military could be ready for strikes on Iran as soon as this weekend, though Reuters reported forces may not all be in place until mid-March.
President Trump has not made a final decision on military action. He has been weighing options with advisers, reportedly arguing both for and against strikes. On Wednesday, national security officials met in the White House Situation Room, and Trump separately met with envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who briefed him on indirect nuclear talks held Tuesday in Geneva.
Those Geneva talks ended without a major breakthrough. Iran's foreign minister described agreement on a 'set of guiding principles,' while US officials acknowledged some progress but said significant gaps remain. Iran is expected to submit a written proposal within two weeks. VP Vance said Iran was still ignoring Washington's core demand to halt uranium enrichment.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said diplomacy is Trump's 'first option' and that 'Iran would be very wise to make a deal,' but declined to set deadlines or confirm whether military action would be delayed pending Iran's response. The Pentagon is also moving some personnel out of the Middle East as a precautionary measure. Secretary of State Rubio is scheduled to brief Israeli PM Netanyahu on Feb. 28.