The United States and Israel are planning one of their most intensive bombing campaigns to date against Iranian energy infrastructure, with strikes potentially continuing throughout the weekend, CBS News reported.
Citing two sources, the network reported that the next round of US targets was expected to include critical energy infrastructure, including power stations and oil refineries. A former senior US military official said the strategic value of striking such facilities would lie in directly undermining the Iranian military's ability to provide services and govern the country effectively.
The US moves are being closely coordinated with Jerusalem. President Donald Trump met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week. According to a senior Israeli official, Netanyahu presented the president with three options for conducting the war, including military strikes focused on overland supply routes.
Trump was recently asked about the possibility of reviving diplomatic contacts with Iran and gave an unequivocal response: "I think we just want to win."
A US official confirmed that the United States had already struck bridges designated as "dual-use," meaning they serve both civilians and military forces, during the current conflict. Senior officials in Washington also discussed on Friday the possibility of completely cutting off electricity to the Iranian capital, Tehran. No final decision had been made as of Friday afternoon.
Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump had ordered a new wave of strikes against Iran intended to force it to "surrender." According to the report, the attacks could begin as early as this weekend and continue for at least several days, citing US officials.
The Pentagon has declined to disclose its target list before the president makes a final decision but has projected complete readiness. "The Department of War is poised and ready to execute the president's orders at a moment's notice," Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed the forceful message in a statement to CBS News. "As President Trump said in his Cabinet meeting today, the United States will win, and Iran will not have a nuclear weapon on his watch," she said.
