US defense official tells Fox News: US ready for full-scale war, Trump ordered deadly strikes on IRGC

The United States has reached a state of full military readiness for a large-scale confrontation with Iran, according to a senior defense official. The disclosure, first reported by Fox News, follows a series of kinetic actions authorized by President Donald Trump targeting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). These strikes, described by the official as "deadly and dangerous," were reportedly carried out in the hours leading up to Sunday morning, signaling that the U.S. administration has moved beyond its previous policy of measured deterrence.

Escalation to Full-Scale Readiness

The shift toward a "full-scale war" posture represents a significant departure from the targeted precision strikes that have characterized the conflict throughout mid-2026. As The Zioneer reported earlier, President Trump had previously weighed the option of a broad campaign to "finish the job" but had remained hesitant to abandon the diplomatic track. The latest reports suggest that this hesitation has ended, with the Pentagon now openly communicating its preparedness for a total kinetic engagement. This development follows a pattern of increasing pressure, including the deployment of B-1 bombers and the systematic neutralization of Iranian defense systems in the southern regions of the country.

Strategic Context and IRGC Targets

The IRGC, which serves as the primary ideological and military force for the Iranian regime, has been the central focus of recent U.S. operations. Earlier in July, the IRGC had declared all its units combat-ready in response to American strikes on strategic infrastructure. The current wave of attacks, reportedly ordered by the President, appears to target the core of the IRGC's command and control capabilities. This escalation occurs as the Iranian regime faces internal instability and has transitioned to full wartime protocols, rejecting prior ceasefire proposals and maintaining its threats against both the United States and Israel.

Outlook for the Region

The declaration of readiness for full-scale war places the Middle East on the precipice of a broader conflict. While the U.S. has simultaneously attempted to broker stabilization frameworks in other theaters, such as Lebanon and Gaza, the direct confrontation with Tehran has now become the primary driver of regional security. Observers are now watching for the scale of the Iranian response and whether the U.S. will expand its target bank to include energy and nuclear infrastructure, as suggested by recent White House reports. The situation remains highly fluid, with military assets across the region in a state of peak alert.