US would need more firepower to launch large-scale strike against Iran: media

WASHINGTON -- Advisers informed US President Donald Trump that his country would require increased military strength in the Middle East to carry out a major strike against Iran, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

The advisers emphasized the need for additional military resources to safeguard American forces and allies, like Israel, in case of retaliation from Iran, the report said.

US advisers and partners from the Middle East warned the White House that a large-scale bombing campaign was unlikely to bring down Iran's government and could instead lead to a wider conflict. On the other hand, smaller strikes might raise morale among protesters, but would likely have little effect on the regime's harsh response, it added.

While Trump had not made a final decision, officials said he ordered military resources to be positioned for a potential large-scale attack.

"The president and his team are closely monitoring this situation, and all options remain on the table for the president," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told a press briefing Thursday.

Citing a senior US official, The New York Times reported Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to Trump on Wednesday, asking the White House to postpone any US military attack on Iran.

Meanwhile, US allies in the region, such as Türkiye, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, have recently advised Trump against launching an attack on Iran.

A diplomat familiar with the discussions told The Wall Street Journal that Iranian officials have recently contacted the governments of Türkiye, Qatar, the UAE, and Oman to warn that if Iran were attacked, it would target American bases in the region.

Protests have been held in several Iranian cities since late December. Initially peaceful, the demonstrations gradually escalated into violence, resulting in casualties and damage to public property, including mosques, government buildings and banks.

Iranian authorities have attributed the unrest to interference by the United States and Israel.