America on the brink of a "big war" in the Middle East

Axios reported that the Trump administration is close to a major war that could begin very soon.

While the American public is mainly focused on the election race and domestic issues, the Axios news website has warned in a new report that the Donald Trump administration is moving closer to a major war in the Middle East; a war that, according to the report, could begin very soon.

According to the media outlet, what is being considered is not simply a limited attack or short-term deterrent operation, but rather a scenario that is being described as a multi-week, extensive campaign; an operation that is closer to a full-scale conflict than a spot-fixing operation.

According to informed sources, the possible plan could be implemented as a joint US-Israeli operation, an operation that would go beyond even the recent 12-day war. The media outlet concluded that the upcoming war would have a significant impact on the entire region and would have major consequences for the remaining three years of Trump's presidency.

Meanwhile, it is noteworthy that there has been no widespread debate in Congress about such an intervention, and American public opinion has not seriously addressed the issue; while this action could be the most significant US military intervention in the Middle East in at least the last decade.

Tensions have risen while the diplomatic path is being pursued. The second round of indirect talks between Iran and the United States, held last Tuesday, lasted three hours. The talks were attended by Abbas Araqchi on the Iranian side, Steve Whittaker and Jared Kushner on the American side.

Although both sides have reported progress, reports indicate that serious gaps remain. In this context, J.D. Vance stated in an interview with Fox News that the negotiations went well in some respects, but in other respects it was quite clear that the president had set red lines that the Iranians were not yet willing to accept and work on.

He also stated, "Although Trump wants a deal, he may conclude that diplomacy has reached its natural end." These statements, along with the two-week deadline that American officials have set for Iran to submit a detailed proposal, have further strained the political atmosphere.

 As the negotiations continue to unravel, US military activity in the region has intensified. The new military deployment reportedly includes two aircraft carriers, a dozen warships, hundreds of fighter jets, and several air defense systems. In addition, more than 150 military cargo flights have transported weapons systems and ammunition to the Middle East.

In the past 24 hours alone, 50 more fighter jets, including F-35s, F-22s, and F-16s, have been deployed to the region. Axios sources warn that war with Iran could happen sooner and on a much larger scale than most people realize.

According to Trump’s advisers, this level of deployment is not just a bluff. “The president is tired,” one of his advisers said. “Some of his people are warning him against war with Iran, but I think there’s a 90 percent chance we’ll see military action in the next few weeks.”

Two Israeli officials have also stated that the Israeli government is preparing for a maximum scenario; a scenario that is not limited to targeting the nuclear program and could include broader dimensions, including missile infrastructure and even regime change.

However, some US sources believe Washington may need more time to make a decision. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said: "The strikes could take several weeks, although some sources see a shorter timeline as likely."

Trump's escalation of rhetoric and expansion of military presence have complicated the decision-making environment. Retreating from the military option without receiving major concessions on the Iranian nuclear issue could be politically costly for the White House. At the same time, entering a full-scale war in the Middle East would also have serious security, economic, and geopolitical consequences.

The experience of Operation Midnight Hammer, which began just three days after a two-week decision-making period, has shown that announced timelines can lead to military action much more quickly than expected.

At present, there is no clear sign of a diplomatic opening, but there are signs of increased military preparedness and a harsh political tone. Although a final decision has not yet been announced, the combination of tight deadlines, extensive deployment of equipment, and statements by senior American officials have turned the scenario of conflict from a remote possibility into a close one.

The Middle East is once again at a point where a political decision could change the course of developments in the region for years; a decision that will affect not only the fate of relations between Tehran and Washington, but also the security equations of the entire region.