On April 26, 2026, US war secretary Pete Hegseth met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv to outline a joint strike plan against Iran's strategic infrastructure. Hegseth said the plan focuses on energy facilities, nuclear enrichment sites, and the missile and drone arsenals. The discussion followed a series of rehearsals, including simulated sorties over Iraq that tested precision strike protocols.
The New York Times reports that the U.S. has assembled a formidable force that will be ready for operation by early November. The deployment includes three Nimitz‑class carriers, 4,000 Marines, F‑35 fighter jets, and Special Operations units. The force is designed to deliver a rapid, concentrated strike that could cripple Tehran's ability to produce ballistic weapons and fuel the country.
Tehran has responded by threatening to unveil a weapon it calls the “Father of All Bombs.” IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi told the Student News Network that Iran is preparing a new deterrent that would counter U.S. "Mother of All Bombs" and "make them feel the intensity of our response." No details on the weapon’s range or destructive power have been released.
Trump’s administration has yet to approve the operation, and a White House spokesperson said the president is keeping all options open. The timing of the strike could be influenced by the U.S. midterm elections, a pledge Trump made to avoid military action before that date. Analysts warn that a launch before early November could trigger a broader regional escalation.