The United States military is preparing contingency plans for sustained operations against Iran that could last for weeks if President Donald Trump authorizes a strike, according to defense officials familiar with current planning. The preparations signal a potential escalation beyond the limited, targeted exchanges that have characterized previous confrontations between Washington and Tehran.

Operational planning reportedly includes force protection measures for U.S. bases across the Middle East, expanded naval deployments, and the positioning of long-range strike assets capable of conducting repeated missions over an extended period. Such planning reflects an assessment that any direct action against Iranian military infrastructure would likely trigger retaliatory responses from Tehran and its regional proxy networks, requiring a prolonged campaign to suppress threats and maintain strategic control.

Pentagon planners are evaluating multiple scenarios, ranging from precision strikes on nuclear-related facilities and missile sites to broader efforts aimed at degrading Iran’s command-and-control capabilities. Sustained operations would require coordinated air, naval, cyber, and intelligence components, along with logistical support to maintain sortie generation rates and defensive coverage for allied territories, particularly Israel and Gulf partners.

The scale of these preparations underscores the complexity of a potential conflict with Iran, whose layered air defenses, dispersed assets, and proxy forces present challenges distinct from previous U.S. engagements in the region. Military analysts note that extended operations would likely focus on establishing air superiority, neutralizing missile launch platforms, and disrupting maritime threats in critical waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz.

At the same time, officials emphasize that contingency planning does not equate to an imminent decision to use force. The United States continues to pursue diplomatic channels while maintaining a posture designed to deter Iranian aggression and protect American personnel. The visibility of these preparations, however, serves as a strategic signal intended to reinforce deterrence and demonstrate readiness for escalation if required.

For regional allies, the prospect of a prolonged U.S. campaign carries significant implications for security coordination, energy markets, and maritime stability. Israel has repeatedly warned that it will not accept a nuclear-armed Iran, while Gulf states remain concerned about missile and drone threats to critical infrastructure.

The coming period will be shaped by the interaction between diplomatic efforts, military signaling, and Iran’s own strategic calculations. Should negotiations fail and hostilities expand, the current planning framework indicates that the United States is preparing for a sustained, multidomain operation rather than a limited exchange, marking a potentially decisive phase in the long-running confrontation between the two countries.