Washington - Saba:
US media outlets quoted local officials claiming that the next few hours will be decisive in the development of the conflict between Iran and Israel, with the possibility of resorting to military force if diplomatic solutions fail.
ABC reported that US officials believe the next 24 to 48 hours will determine the course of the crisis with Iran, noting that the military option remains on the table if diplomatic efforts fail.
The channel reported that during a meeting of President Donald Trump with his key advisors in the White House Situation Room on Tuesday, officials emphasized that the next period will be critical in assessing the possibility of reaching a diplomatic solution or resorting to military action.
In previous statements, Trump called on Iran to "unconditionally surrender," asserting that the United States knows the whereabouts of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei but is not currently planning to target him. He warned that his country's patience is "running thin."
Meanwhile, the United States has begun deploying the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier to the US Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations in the Middle East to bolster protection for US forces deployed there.
In a related development, Trump claimed that the US has complete control over Iranian airspace, despite Iran's possession of advanced air defense systems.
Meanwhile, the New York Times reported, citing informed sources, that Iran has prepared missiles and military equipment in preparation for attacking US bases in the region if the United States intervenes in its conflict with Israel.