Washington is ramping up preparations amid escalating tensions with Iran, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio potentially meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 28. US officials have confirmed the possibility, as diplomatic and military moves intensify.
Israeli media reports highlight America’s dual-track approach: diplomacy in Geneva and readiness for action. The latest round of talks saw Iran agree to a written proposal addressing US concerns, aimed at outlining steps to avert a major clash between Tehran and Washington.
Rubio, a key figure coordinating Trump administration policies and serving as National Security Advisor, is at the center of these efforts. Meanwhile, senior National Security Council officials met in the White House Situation Room on Wednesday to discuss Iran, learning that all necessary forces for a potential military operation could be in place by mid-March.
Citing CBS News, i24 reported that top US security officials briefed President Trump that the military could be ready to strike Iran by the weekend, though any action might follow Saturday or Sunday. Trump has yet to make a final call.
As part of standard Pentagon planning, some US personnel may be relocated from the Middle East in the coming days to safe positions ahead of any operation or Iranian retaliation.
Earlier, Netanyahu, during a visit to meet Trump, stressed that future nuclear deals with Iran must address Tehran’s ballistic missile capabilities and funding for proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah. These developments signal a critical juncture in US-Israel coordination against perceived Iranian threats, with the world watching for the next move.