American forces are positioned for an operation targeting Iranian nuclear, military and energy facilities, officials say; Washington reportedly blocked Netanyahu's push for an attack before Israel's election, with joint action possible after the US midterms

American forces in the Middle East are prepared to launch a major new military offensive against Iran within 96 hours of receiving an order from President Donald Trump, two U.S. officials told CNN in a report published Monday. The necessary forces are already deployed in the region, but Trump has not made a final decision on whether to authorize the operation.

The potential campaign would be considerably broader than the limited strikes carried out against Iranian military assets in recent months. U.S. Central Command and the Pentagon have developed an extensive list of possible targets, including nuclear facilities, military installations and energy infrastructure.