Washington: The US military stands prepared to execute potential strikes on Iran as early as Saturday, senior national security officials have communicated to President Donald Trump.

According to Anadolu Agency, these officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that while Trump has not made a final decision regarding the authorization of such actions, the timeline for any potential operation is expected to extend beyond the weekend.

In a related development, the US has decided to withdraw its remaining 1,000 troops from Syria following gradual drawdowns over recent months. The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reported that the withdrawal is anticipated over the next two months as Washington concludes that a US military presence in Syria is no longer necessary due to the near-complete dissolution of local forces and their integration into the Syrian state structure.

Additionally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the Israeli Home Front Command to prepare for a potential war with Iran. According to Yedioth Ahronot, Netanyahu has instructed various rescue agencies and the Home Front Command to prepare for war, declaring a state of maximum alert across various Israeli security agencies.

Israel is also preparing for the possibility of receiving US approval to attack Iran’s ballistic missile system, as reported by Israel’s public broadcaster KAN. This preparation is amidst speculation over whether President Trump will order an attack on Iran.

Despite these preparations, the White House maintains that diplomacy remains President Trump’s “first option” in dealing with Iran. Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt emphasized that while there are arguments supporting a strike against Iran, diplomacy is always the preferred path, and the President is consulting widely on potential military actions.