02/18/2026
Is the USA closer to a major military confrontation with Iran than many Americans realize? Axios reports, citing US and Israeli sources.
The report said a potential US operation could be a weeks-long campaign, possibly conducted jointly with Israel, and broader in scope than previous strikes on Iranian targets.
Trump has paired nuclear talks with a significant military buildup in the region, including aircraft carriers, warships, fighter jets and air defense systems. More than 150 US military cargo flights have moved weapons and ammunition to the Middle East in recent weeks, according to the report.
While US and Iranian officials described recent talks in Geneva as making progress, gaps remain wide and US officials are not optimistic about a breakthrough, Axios said.