The United States and Israel are preparing a major bombing campaign targeting energy infrastructure in Iran, with strikes possible over the weekend. President Donald Trump has not yet given final authorization, and Israeli officials report no official request for full military coordination, Cbsnews.
Washington and Jerusalem are weighing one of the harshest military strikes of the current conflict, focusing specifically on Iranian energy infrastructure. Discussions among officials included timing the operation to conclude before global financial markets reopen on Monday to limit economic disruption, as syndicated reporting outlines. However, planners have not locked in a definitive end point.
Targets and White House Deliberations at Camp David
The military operation came under review during President Trump’s cabinet meeting at Camp David on Friday. Energy installations, including power plants and refineries, sit at the center of the proposed target list. Proponents argue that crippling energy networks will severely degrade the Iranian military’s ability to maintain services and govern effectively.
Internal friction accompanied the planning. White House aides focused on domestic politics raised strong objections to the scope of the campaign. President Trump addressed reporters during the cabinet gathering, emphasizing resolve regarding the ongoing hostilities.
“We’ll be hitting them very hard.”
President Donald Trump, via CBS News
When questioned about potential diplomatic avenues, the president stated simply, I think we just want to win
. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced that position in a formal statement, noting that the United States will win, and Iran will not have a nuclear weapon under his watch
.
Pentagon Readiness and Israeli Coordination Discrepancies
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell declined to discuss specific targets ahead of a final presidential directive, confirming that the Department of War is locked and loaded. Despite active planning and U.S. notifications to Israeli counterparts, a senior Israeli official offered a divergent perspective on joint operations.
“Israel is unaware of a decision to restart full military operations, nor has been requested of Israel to join any military actions against Iran.”
An Israeli official, via CBS News
This potential offensive would reengage Israeli forces in combat missions after a pause established during a U.S.-brokered truce. That memorandum of understanding previously collapsed when U.S. forces resumed combat operations in early July.
Broader Tactical Discussions and Economic Concerns
Ahead of the broader cabinet discussions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth to outline three separate military options. Those proposals included strikes on land resupply routes. U.S. officials also weighed severe measures, including a potential blackout across Tehran by cutting electrical grids, though no final decision had been reached by Friday afternoon.
The current planning follows earlier threats issued on Truth Social, where President Trump vowed to strike bridges or power plants in response to attacks on shipping vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. As military and political leadership finalize their posture, the timing of any final launch order remains contingent on the president’s command.
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