Overview
- Axios, citing unnamed officials, reports planning for a sustained, weeks‑long operation likely coordinated with Israel and aimed at nuclear, missile and regime targets.
- U.S. force posture has expanded with two aircraft carriers, around a dozen warships, hundreds of fighter jets and more than 150 cargo flights, plus roughly 50 additional fighters in the past day.
- Vice President JD Vance said negotiations "went well" in parts but Tehran has not accepted key U.S. red lines, with officials indicating diplomacy could soon reach a natural end.
- Two Israeli officials told Axios that Israel is preparing for possible war within days and is pushing for a maximalist operation, though some U.S. sources caution the timeline could be weeks.
- Satellite imagery and reports show Iran repairing and hardening nuclear and missile sites, conducting IRGC drills near the Strait of Hormuz and planning joint naval exercises with Russia.