Quick Read
- The US military is prepared for potential air strikes against Iran as early as this weekend.
- Poland has urged its citizens to leave Iran immediately due to deteriorating security conditions.
- A significant US military buildup, including two carrier strike groups, is underway in the Middle East.
- Diplomatic talks in Geneva between US and Iranian officials have failed to yield a breakthrough.
- Russia and Iran conducted joint naval drills in the Gulf of Oman amidst rising tensions.
WASHINGTON (Azat TV) – The United States military is reportedly poised to launch potential air strikes against Iran as early as this weekend, amidst rapidly escalating tensions over Tehran’s nuclear program and faltering diplomatic efforts. This follows a significant buildup of US military assets in the Middle East, prompting urgent warnings for foreign nationals to evacuate Iran immediately.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Thursday urged Polish citizens in Iran to leave without delay, cautioning that evacuation might soon become impossible as security conditions deteriorate. This stark warning underscores the gravity of the situation, which has seen US President Donald Trump hint at possible military action from the strategic Indian Ocean base of Diego Garcia if Iran refuses a deal on its nuclear ambitions.
US Military Buildup Signals Imminent Action
Defense officials briefed President Donald Trump that a concentration of fighter jets, refueling aircraft, and naval forces would reach the necessary level for strikes within days, according to a report by The Telegraph. The buildup includes F-35 and F-22 fighter jets, additional command-and-control aircraft, and strengthened air defenses. A second carrier strike group, led by the USS Gerald R. Ford, is expected to join the USS Abraham Lincoln already stationed in the Arabian Sea, significantly enhancing US air power in the region, the largest concentration since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright affirmed on Wednesday that the United States would deter Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons “one way or the other.” Republican Senator Lindsey Graham further emphasized the military readiness, telling Sky News Arabia that the presence of US naval forces near Iran “is not here because it’s nice this time of year,” and that military planning for possible joint US-Israel efforts was underway. Senator Graham warned that the “inflection point is weeks away, not months away,” suggesting the next 30 days could be decisive.
Diplomatic Efforts and Iranian Responses Amidst Rising Tensions
Despite the military preparations, diplomatic efforts have continued, albeit with limited success. Indirect talks between US envoys and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi were held in Geneva earlier this week, with Iran expected to submit a written proposal addressing US concerns. However, US Senator Ted Cruz dismissed prospects for a nuclear agreement, stating that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s only deal should be to leave power.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi met with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi in Geneva, stressing the urgency of reaching a deal to avert further military action. Grossi noted that most of Iran’s nuclear material stockpiled before bombings in June 2025 remains in place, despite damage to some facilities, and while both sides showed willingness to move toward a deal, disagreements persist and time is short.
In response to the escalating US military presence, Iran has accelerated its own military and domestic preparations for potential strikes, according to The Wall Street Journal. This includes dispersing command authority through a “mosaic defense,” hardening nuclear sites, deploying Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval units to the Strait of Hormuz, and conducting air-defense drills. Notably, Russia and Iran conducted joint naval exercises on Thursday in the Gulf of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean, a move the Kremlin stated was planned prior to current tensions. Russia urged prudence and restraint from all parties, citing an ‘unprecedented rise in tension.’
International Pressure and Economic Impact
Further intensifying the pressure on Tehran, the European Union added Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to its terrorist list on Thursday. This decision will result in asset freezes for the IRGC in EU member states and a ban on EU individuals and companies providing funds or economic resources to the group. The United States has also imposed visa restrictions on 18 Iranian officials and telecommunications industry leaders for their roles in suppressing nationwide protests in December 2025 and January 2026, bringing the total targeted under this policy to 58 individuals and their immediate family members.
The escalating tensions have also rattled global markets. Oil prices surged, with Brent crude rising to around $70.50 a barrel and US crude climbing above $65, as investors priced in the possibility of supply disruptions from the oil-producing region. Gold prices also remained near record levels, reflecting widespread concerns about a prolonged conflict in the Middle East.
The confluence of a significant US military buildup, urgent evacuation warnings, faltering diplomatic efforts, and Iran’s defensive preparations indicates a critical juncture in the long-standing standoff. With potential targets ranging from nuclear facilities to leadership sites, and the prospect of a weeks-long campaign, the current situation carries profound implications for regional stability and global energy markets.