Senior US Official: US and Israel on Course for Another Joint Strike on Iran

Strategic Shift Toward Energy Infrastructure

According to reports from CBS News and ABC News, U.S. and Israeli officials are in advanced stages of planning a joint campaign that marks a significant escalation from previous operations. While prior strikes—tracked by The Zioneer in June and July—focused primarily on missile storage and drone facilities, the current authorization reportedly targets Iran's "soft underbelly": its energy infrastructure, including power plants and refineries. A source told i24NEWS that President Trump has "lost patience" and aims to strike targets that sustain the regime's economic and operational capabilities.

Coordination and Internal Deliberations

The planning for these strikes reportedly matured during high-level discussions at Camp David. While some advisors to the President expressed reservations about the potential impact on global energy markets, the Wall Street Journal reports that the directive was given to move toward a "total pressure" posture. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the United States will prevail and emphasized that Iran will not possess nuclear weapons during the President's term.

Iranian Threats and Regional Readiness

Tehran has responded with threats of a large-scale counter-response. Iranian channels claim the regime has prepared plans to target vital infrastructure in Israel, specifically naming the Leviathan and Tamar gas fields, as well as U.S. energy assets in the region. This follows a reported attack on an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, further heightening maritime tensions. As of Saturday afternoon, Israeli and U.S. forces remain on high alert, with reports suggesting the campaign could commence as soon as this weekend, though final target lists remain subject to change based on real-time intelligence.