NEW YORK, October 26. /TASS/. US forces in the Middle East could launch new, potentially large-scale operations against Iran within 96 hours of an order from US President Donald Trump, CNN reported, citing two US officials.

According to the broadcaster, sufficient forces have already been deployed in the region to conduct such attacks. The officials said the operations could go beyond the limited strikes on radars, launchers and other Iranian facilities that can be quickly restored, which the United States has conducted since suspending full-scale hostilities earlier this year. They stressed that the question was not whether an order would be issued, but when. The officials believe this could happen before the end of the year, but more likely after the US midterm elections, although Trump has not made a final decision.

CNN noted that the US Central Command and the Pentagon have already drawn up an extensive list of targets, including Iranian energy infrastructure, military facilities and nuclear sites. According to US intelligence assessments, Iran and Houthi rebels from Yemen’s Ansar Allah movement would likely respond immediately to any strike by attacking US troops and facilities both in the region and beyond.

The US and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28. In June, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding providing for an immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts, including in Lebanon. However, in the early morning hours of July 8, the US resumed large-scale strikes against Iran, accusing it of violating the terms of the agreements reached on the Strait of Hormuz.

Nearly 25% of global oil trade and about 20% of global liquefied natural gas trade pass through the strait. The US administration then effectively indicated that it would stop using large-scale military force against Iran and instead seek to economically strangle the country through sanctions.