The US administration of Donald Trump appears to be edging nearer to possible military action against Iran, amid stalled diplomacy and a significant U.S. force buildup in the region according to a new report by Axios.
According to the report, any U.S. operation would likely extend beyond a limited strike and could evolve into a sustained, weeks-long campaign. Officials say such an operation could involve coordination with Israel and would be broader in scope than previous targeted actions elsewhere.
A conflict of that scale would have far-reaching implications for regional stability and could shape the remainder of Trump’s term in office. Despite the potential consequences, there has been limited public debate in Washington about the possibility of a major new military engagement in the Middle East.
Earlier this week, senior Trump advisers Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met in Geneva with Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, for several hours of talks.
Both sides described the discussions as constructive, but U.S. officials privately acknowledge that significant gaps remain. Vice President JD Vance said negotiations “went well” in certain respects, but noted that Iran has yet to address key U.S. demands. He added that diplomacy could reach “its natural end” if progress stalls.
For now, officials do not appear optimistic about a swift breakthrough.
At the same time, the Pentagon has increased its presence in the Middle East. The U.S. deployment now includes two aircraft carriers, roughly a dozen warships, hundreds of fighter jets and multiple air defense systems, with additional assets still en route.
More than 150 military cargo flights have reportedly transported weapons systems and munitions to the region. In the past 24 hours alone, dozens of additional fighter aircraft — including F-35s, F-22s and F-16s — have been dispatched.
The scale of the buildup suggests the administration is preparing for a range of contingencies.
Earlier this year, Trump reportedly considered strikes following Iran’s crackdown on protesters but ultimately held off. Since then, the White House has pursued a two-track approach: maintaining diplomatic engagement while simultaneously reinforcing military capabilities.
Israeli officials are said to be preparing for the possibility of conflict in the near term, while some U.S. lawmakers, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, have indicated that any action could still be weeks away.
One Trump adviser told reporters that the president’s patience is wearing thin and that the likelihood of “kinetic action” in the coming weeks is significant if talks fail.
