U.S. and Israel Prepare to Resume Attacks on Iran
President Trump is considering a 'decisive' strike if final negotiations fail
- •The United States and Israel are examining a 'decisive' attack should talks with Iran collapse
- •President Trump has canceled plans for his eldest son’s wedding and the Memorial Day holiday
- •More than 52 aerial refueling aircraft have been deployed at Israeli airports as part of ongoing force reinforcement.
U.S. President Donald Trump convened senior members of his national security team on the 22nd (local time) to hold a meeting regarding war with Iran. The meeting took place while Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Asim Munir, was in Iran attempting final mediation efforts, and a Qatari delegation had also arrived in Tehran to support those efforts. President Trump canceled his plans to attend his eldest son’s wedding and to spend time during America’s Memorial Day holiday.
The preparations by the U.S. and Israel to resume military attacks indicate a rapid deterioration in the Middle East situation. A U.S. government official described the status of negotiations with Iran as “painful,” stating that draft agreements are exchanged daily but little progress is being made. This means time is passing without any tangible agreement emerging from the talks. In preparation for possible Iranian retaliation, the U.S. and Israel are reducing the number of U.S. troops stationed in the Middle East, a move that may represent a strategic adjustment aimed at avoiding full-scale war. However, given that they are considering a “decisive” large-scale military attack on Iran, the risk of outright conflict remains high.
These preparations for a major resumption of attacks mark a strategic turning point two years after direct military clashes with Iran in 2024. Previously, Iran’s nuclear development and ongoing threats against Israel were the main issues, but now failing negotiations and political pressure from President Trump are the key factors. After the 2024 attacks, Iran expanded its nuclear activities, yet the U.S. and Israel did not launch direct counterattacks and continued to pursue dialogue. This time, however, with negotiations at a standstill despite “drafts exchanged daily” and “almost no progress,” military options are being seriously discussed.
| Category | Previous Situation (2024) | Current Situation (May 2026) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Negotiation Progress | Ongoing dialogue | No progress at a “painful” level | Deterioration |
| U.S. Response | Dialogue-focused | Considering a “decisive” attack | Strategic shift |
| Troop Deployment in Middle East | Maintained | Reducing presence | Tactical adjustment |
| Aerial Refueling Plane Deployment | 36 units (February) → 47 units (April) | Over 52 units (May) | Enhanced capabilities |
The U.S. and Israel are maintaining a state of readiness to launch military attacks immediately if negotiations with Iran ultimately fail. U.S. defense and intelligence agencies have begun updating emergency mobilization lists for U.S. bases overseas, a procedure designed to enable rapid deployment of forces in the event of full-scale war. The ongoing reduction of U.S. troops in the Middle East in preparation for possible Iranian retaliation is interpreted as part of a strategic decision to avoid war.
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