Donald Trump reviewed possible military options against Iran at the White House on Thursday as the United States stepped up defences, shifted troops and expanded its regional posture in the Middle East. No decision to launch a new operation has been announced.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Admiral Brad Cooper, who heads US Central Command, briefed Trump on the options. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine and other cabinet members were also at the meeting, after a separate session with Vice President JD Vance on Wednesday.

Regional forces are being reinforced

According to the reports, Washington has spent recent weeks strengthening air defences, increasing ammunition stocks and moving additional resources into the Middle East. Some US troops have also been shifted out of bases seen as especially vulnerable to possible Iranian retaliation.

The Wall Street Journal, citing officials familiar with the situation, reported that the US military was bringing a Patriot air-defence system from Texas to reinforce missile defence. The same report said bombers and fighter aircraft were being readied for possible strikes, while US forces in the region were replenishing ammunition stocks.

The Wall Street Journal also reported that an additional carrier strike group and a Marine expeditionary unit were preparing to join about 20 other warships operating in the Middle East next month, although some ships could rotate out. The reports did not say those steps meant an attack had already been approved.

Targets under discussion

People close to Trump told the Journal that he had not made a final decision, but was considering strikes on Iranian infrastructure and nuclear facilities. The Pentagon declined to comment on the meeting or possible plans, while the White House said it would not comment on sensitive military plans.

ACȚIUNEA, citing Israeli sources quoted by ABC News, separately reported that the US and Israeli militaries had drawn up plans for renewed joint attacks, with petrochemical facilities and Iranian nuclear infrastructure among the possible targets. It also said Gulf states had been warned about the risk of Iranian retaliation against energy infrastructure and other strategic sites.

The latest planning follows a US-Israeli bombing campaign against Iran earlier this year, which now forms the backdrop to the current debate over whether Washington should move from preparation to action. For now, the public record shows consultation, reinforcement and no announced order to strike.