The United States is increasing the available forces at its disposal in the Middle East in preparation for the possibility of escalating the ongoing conflict with Iran, people familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday.
According to the WSJ, US President Donald Trump is considering expanding his attacks on Iran, and the added forces in the region are intended to provide him with more military options.
US officials also told the WSJ that fighter jets have been positioned across the Middle East, and that bomber aircraft are on high alert.
Israeli officials also believe Trump is preparing to significantly escalate the American military campaign against Iran, according to two Israeli officials.
According to the assessment, an expanded US campaign targeting Iranian strategic infrastructure and senior regime officials would likely prompt Tehran to retaliate directly against Israel.
Trump threatens Iranian infrastructure
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump threatened that the US will strike Iranian bridges and power plants in retaliation for every time Iran fires on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
“The US will bomb and destroy one bridge or power plant, including those located next to, or in, the capital city of Tehran,” Trump said.
This will happen “from this point forward, any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz,” he stated.
Amichai Stein and James Genn contributed to this report.
