Iran showdown risks a longer fight: Pentagon readies plans that could stretch weeks

WASHINGTON — The U.S. military is preparing contingency plans for potentially sustained operations against Iran that could extend for weeks if President Donald Trump orders action, according to reporting that cites U.S. officials familiar with the planning. The preparations reflect a view inside the Pentagon that any initial strike scenario could trigger retaliation and rapid escalation across the region — requiring more than a brief, one-off attack plan.

The planning comes alongside sharper political rhetoric from Trump, who has suggested that regime change in Iran “would be the best thing that could happen,” while U.S. force posture in the region draws renewed attention. Reuters has reported on the movement of a second U.S. aircraft carrier toward the Middle East amid tensions, a step that signals readiness and increases U.S. capacity for sustained air operations if ordered.

U.S. officials have long argued that military planning does not automatically mean a decision has been made — but the scope matters. Extended operations carry different risks than short strikes, particularly for U.S. troops and facilities within range of Iranian missiles and proxy forces. A longer campaign would likely require layered force protection, expanded logistics, and constant reassessment of retaliation risks, including attacks on bases, shipping lanes, or regional partners.

Diplomacy remains in the mix, even as threats escalate. Reuters has reported continued contacts and negotiations with Iran alongside warnings that the United States could act militarily if talks fail. That combination — talks plus visible military preparation — is a classic pressure strategy, but it can also narrow room for compromise if either side believes backing down looks like weakness.

Another complicating factor is Iran’s internal politics and the fragmentation of opposition voices abroad. Reuters reported Saturday that Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah, urged the United States to consider military intervention and argued the current regime is vulnerable. His remarks, delivered in Munich, injected additional attention into debates about whether external pressure could catalyze change inside Iran or instead harden the regime’s posture.

Regional allies are watching closely because any prolonged conflict would not stay geographically contained. Even the expectation of escalation can raise insurance costs for shipping, spur defensive deployments, and increase the chance of miscalculation — especially when drones, missiles, and cyber capabilities can produce fast-moving crises with limited warning. The U.S. military’s assumption, as reported by Reuters-linked coverage, is that Iran would respond in some form if attacked, and planners are weighing how quickly that could expand the fight.

For now, the public posture is a mix of diplomatic messaging and military readiness. The practical takeaway is that Washington is preparing for a scenario that would be bigger and longer than a limited strike — and that preparation is happening while political rhetoric points toward higher stakes.