Washington — The United States and Israel are reportedly planning one of the most severe bombing campaigns to date, targeting energy infrastructure in Iran. Multiple sources indicate that strikes could commence as early as this weekend, with discussions ongoing about concluding operations by the time financial markets open on Monday, driven by concerns over potential impacts on the U.S. and global economies. However, a definitive end point for the campaign has not been finalized.
According to several U.S. sources, Israeli officials have been informed and are coordinating with the United States regarding these plans. Despite the advanced preparations, President Trump has not yet issued the final 'go' orders for the strikes.
A joint operation would signify Israel's re-engagement in combat operations, which had been paused during a U.S.-brokered truce. Iran has not launched attacks against Israel since the memorandum of understanding collapsed and the U.S. resumed combat operations in early July. However, an Israeli official contradicted these reports, stating, "Israel is unaware of a decision to restart full military operations, nor has been requested of Israel to join any military actions against Iran."
The military strike plan was a key topic during President Trump's cabinet meeting at Camp David on Friday, sources briefed on the matter revealed. Some White House aides, particularly those focused on political implications, expressed strong opposition to the plan. During a press interaction at the meeting, Mr. Trump publicly stated, "We'll be hitting them very hard. At some point, they're going to say, 'We just can't take it anymore.'" When questioned about reviving diplomacy, he added, "I think we just want to win."
Two sources indicated that potential targets would likely include energy infrastructure such as power plants and refineries. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt affirmed the administration's stance in a statement, saying, "As President Trump said at his cabinet meeting today, the United States will win, and Iran will not have a nuclear weapon under his watch."
Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell declined to comment on specific targets before the President's final decision. Parnell stated, "The Department of War is locked and loaded, ready to execute the President's directives at a moment's notice." A former U.S. military official suggested that striking energy infrastructure would aim to cripple the Iranian military's capacity to provide services and effectively govern.
Earlier this week, President Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who briefed him on three potential options for the conflict, one of which involved military strikes focused on land resupply routes, a senior Israeli official confirmed. Netanyahu also held a meeting with Defense Secretary Hegseth. The U.S. has already targeted dual-use bridges—utilized by both military and civilians—in the ongoing conflict, a U.S. official noted. High-level discussions on Friday also included the possibility of cutting electricity across Tehran, though no decision had been made as of Friday afternoon. Last week, Mr. Trump had posted on Truth Social that he would bomb and destroy an Iranian bridge or power plant for every attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.
