President Donald Trump is considering whether to resume military operations against Iran, as senior U.S. officials hold high-level security discussions and American military commanders prepare for the possibility of a renewed campaign. The developments have raised fresh questions about Washington’s next move, with Trump warning that further strikes could be necessary if Iran’s nuclear program is not permanently eliminated.
According to senior U.S. officials who spoke to Fox News, Trump met with members of his national security team at the White House on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss the possibility of restarting military operations against Iran. Although no final decision has been announced, the meetings suggest that the administration is seriously examining its military options.
One detail surrounding the discussions has also attracted attention: the timing of the next new moon in the Middle East.
Officials noted that Monday, November 9, will bring a new moon to the region, meaning there will be very little natural moonlight during nighttime hours. Such conditions can be advantageous for military operations, particularly those conducted under the cover of darkness.
Trump addressed the situation directly on Thursday while speaking to reporters in the Oval Office. The president indicated that the United States would soon have to decide whether additional military action was necessary to achieve its objectives in Iran.
“Do we want to continue with strikes to ensure that Iran’s nuclear program is destroyed and that this never happens again?” Trump asked.
The president also made clear that he would prefer to avoid further destruction across the country if another military campaign could be avoided.
“I’d prefer not to destroy the rest of the country, if possible, but I may have to. You’ll find out soon enough.” he added.
The comments offered little indication of which direction the administration is ultimately leaning. However, Trump’s warning that further action may be necessary suggests that military options remain firmly under consideration.
U.S. Military Commanders Prepare for a Possible New Campaign
While political discussions continue in Washington, the U.S. military is reportedly making preparations for a potential resumption of large-scale operations.
According to Fox News, citing Axios and an American official familiar with the situation, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is finalizing preparations for the possibility of renewed military action inside Iran.
However, an important distinction remains: CENTCOM has not yet received a new directive from Washington authorizing the start of another campaign.
Iraq Warns Against Using Its Territory for Attacks
As Washington considers its next steps, the possibility of renewed military operations has also raised concerns among neighboring countries.
On Thursday, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi spoke with Trump by telephone and emphasized that Iraqi territory must not be used as a launching point for attacks against neighboring states.
According to a statement released by the Iraqi prime minister’s office on X, Al-Zaidi reiterated Baghdad’s position on respecting the sovereignty of countries across the region.
“The Prime Minister reaffirmed Iraq’s position, which calls for respecting the sovereignty of states and ensuring that its territory is not used as a base for aggression against neighboring countries” the statement said.
