CNN: U.S. Could Strike Iran As Soon As This Weekend

• 19.02.2026, 8:07

Trump is in the process of making a decision.

U.S. President Donald Trump has discussed the timing of strikes on Iran, including the possibility of doing so as early as this weekend.

It was reported by CNN.

Sources say senior national security officials reported to Trump on Wednesday that the military is prepared for potential strikes on Iran as early as this Saturday.

The timing of any action, however, would likely go beyond this weekend. Officials say Trump has not yet made a final decision on whether to strike.

At the same time, a CNN source told CNN that Trump has privately spoken both for and against military action, as well as polling advisers and allies on what would be the best course of action.

"He's spending a lot of time thinking about it," the source said.

U.S. troop surge

As CNN clarifies, the White House was informed of the possible readiness for strikes after the U.S. significantly increased its air and naval presence in the Middle East in recent days.

The aircraft carrier group USS Abraham Lincoln and its flotilla of warships are already in the region, while a second carrier group, the USS Gerald Ford , was on its way to the Middle East. As of Wednesday, the Ford was off the coast of West Africa, according to maritime tracking data.

Also according to CBS News sources, the Pentagon will temporarily move some personnel out of the Middle East - to Europe or back to the United States - over the next three days. This will be done in anticipation of possible action or counterattacks by Iran if Washington decides to go ahead with its operation.

As the outlet explains, it is standard Pentagon practice to move personnel forces in anticipation of potential U.S. military activity. That is, it does not necessarily mean that an attack on Iran is imminent.