00:18The United States could be just days away from launching new military strikes on Iran.
00:24That's the latest from top national security officials
00:27who have informed President Donald Trump that U.S. forces are ready to act as early as this weekend,
00:33Saturday or Sunday, February 21st and 22nd.
00:37But here's the key detail. No final decision has been made.
00:41Let's break down what's happening and why this moment is so critical.
00:45According to multiple major U.S. outlets, including CBS News, CNN and The New York Times,
00:51the Pentagon has already positioned significant military assets across the Middle East.
00:56We're talking fighter jets, refueling tankers, warships, and aircraft carrier strike groups.
01:02This is not routine background movement. This is a visible, strategic buildup.
01:07At the same time, the Pentagon is temporarily relocating some U.S. personnel out of the region,
01:13primarily to Europe or back to the United States.
01:16Officials say this is standard procedure ahead of possible military action,
01:19especially to protect against potential Iranian counterattacks.
01:23But they also stress this does not necessarily mean strikes are imminent.
01:27When asked directly on February 18th, a Pentagon spokesperson said they had no information to provide.
01:34Caution. Silence. Strategic ambiguity.
01:37Now this tension doesn't exist in a vacuum.
01:40White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt addressed the situation during a February 18th briefing.
01:45She said there are many reasons and arguments for a strike, even after previous U.S. action.
01:50She argued diplomacy has failed repeatedly.
01:53And she urged Iran to make a deal, saying it would be very wise to negotiate with the Trump administration.
01:58The president has always been very clear, though, with respect to Iran or any country around the world.
02:03Diplomacy is always his first option.
02:05And Iran would be very wise to make a deal with President Trump and with this administration.
02:11He's talking to many people.
02:13Of course, his national security team, first and foremost.
02:16And you know who the members of that team are.
02:18And this is something, obviously, the president takes seriously.
02:21That statement matters, because it suggests Washington believes pressure, possibly military pressure, may still be necessary.
02:29To understand why, we need to look back at June 2025.
02:32That's when the U.S. launched what was called Operation Midnight Hammer.
02:36The operation targeted three key Iranian nuclear facilities, Fordwo, Natanz, and Isbahan, using B-2 stealth bombers, Tomahawk cruise missiles,
02:44and other advanced assets.
02:46President Trump said the strikes completely and totally obliterated Iran's nuclear enrichment capabilities.
02:52U.S. officials claimed the program was set back by about two years.
02:55But some independent assessments suggested only one of the three sites was fully destroyed.
02:59And questions remained about uranium stockpiles that may have been relocated.
03:03So, while the White House describes that mission as successful,
03:06the discussion of new strikes suggests concerns that Iran's nuclear program may be rebuilding.
03:11Meanwhile, U.S. naval activity is increasing.
03:13The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is currently deployed in the Arabian Sea.
03:17On board, F-A-18 Super Hornet fighter jets conducting flight operations.
03:22Launches, arrested landings, routine drills, yes,
03:25but also clear positioning for either offensive action or defensive response.
03:29There are reports that additional naval reinforcements could also be en route.
03:32Zooming out, the broader picture is tense.
03:35Indirect U.S.-Iran talks in Geneva have shown little progress.
03:38Iran faces pressure from U.S. military positioning,
03:40ongoing Israeli operations in the wider regional conflict,
03:43internal rest, and growing economic strain.
03:46President Trump has warned that force remains an option if no deal is reached.
03:49But analysts caution,
03:50any strike could trigger missile retaliation against U.S. bases or regional allies,
03:54potentially escalating into sustained operations.
03:56As of February 19, 2026, no strike has been confirmed.
04:00No order has been given.
04:02But the military is ready.
04:03Assets are in place.
04:04And the decision now rests with the President.
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