According to an online report, the American newspaper Wall Street Journal, quoting American officials and sources familiar with the meeting, reported that Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), explained the Pentagon’s operational options to the US president.
In this meeting, in addition to Defense Minister Pete Hegst and General Dan Kane, Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a number of senior members of the cabinet were also present, and various issues were discussed, including the continuation of Iran’s naval blockade.
This high-level meeting was held a day after the same military commanders met and discussed with Vice President JD Vance at the White House on Wednesday.
Be on the lookout for the Persian Gulf countries and Trump’s “epic anger” signal
Face-to-face meetings between the Centcom commander and the US president are rare, the last time was in July on the presidential plane number one in Delaware, and this is considered a clear sign that Washington is approaching the stage of significant military action, according to experts.
The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Trump administration officials have told Gulf Arab states to prepare for a “short and intense” military campaign after the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
Last week, Trump also said at a campaign rally, referring to the large-scale joint operation between the United States and Israel last spring (known as Operation “Epic Fury”): “Maybe we will launch another small epic fury; Or they will agree.”
Simultaneously with these movements, Vance also sent a message to Iran’s senior security officials in an effort to revive the negotiations. However, spokesmen for the Pentagon and the CENTCOM command declined to comment officially on the content of Thursday’s meeting.
Senator Murphy’s warning about the “insane” plan and Tehran’s counter-threat
These moves inside Washington have been met with a wave of concern among congressional lawmakers.
Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy, who has been briefed on the Pentagon’s classified plans, described the plans as “insane” in a speech at the Middle East Institute (MEI) on Wednesday, saying, “This plan will lead to a devastating escalation of conflict and undermine our commitment to the rule of law.”
On the other hand, Iran has clearly warned in public positions and confidential diplomatic messages that it will respond to any new US attack by targeting a wide range of Washington’s military positions and the bases and infrastructures of the Persian Gulf countries.
According to this report, Tehran has resumed the production of ballistic missiles using parts stored in its underground facilities and intensified its efforts to target American forces in the region.
Pentagon logistics line-up and deployment of additional Patriots to Israel
Field evidence shows that the Pentagon has prepared an operational platform in recent weeks. The United States has bolstered its presence in the Middle East by sending more air defense systems, heavy munitions and support items, while withdrawing some of its forces from vulnerable bases to avoid the dangers of a missile response.
Also, the US Army is moving an additional Patriot anti-missile missile to Israel to strengthen its missile defense network. The urgent decision comes amid growing concerns about a shortage of anti-aircraft missiles in Tel Aviv after previous clashes, and the United States is scrambling to restock the critical stockpile.
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