The Trump administration appears ready to launch an extended military assault on Iran, current and former U.S. officials said, as the Pentagon amasses an immense strike force in the Middle East despite the risks of U.S. combat fatalities and American ensnarement in an extended war. Ask The Post AIDive deeperStill, it is unclear whether Trump has approved military action. “They’ll definitely take terrible damage from combined U.S.-Israeli strikes,” said Shapiro, a distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council, referring to Iran. For years, Iran has sponsored and facilitated attacks on U.S. troops across the region, U.S. officials broadly agree. Trump began pondering new strikes against Iran in January, after he pledged to rescue anti-government protesters there following a wave of executions.

Source: Washington Post February 19, 2026 21:11 UTC