The situation between the United States and Iran has intensified as military planning by the U.S. has reached an advanced stage, with options including targeting individual Iranian leaders and potentially pursuing regime change in Tehran, should President Trump order it. This marks a significant escalation in U.S. military strategy, with reports indicating that the U.S. is preparing for a sustained operation against Iran, including strikes on Iranian security facilities and nuclear infrastructure (Business Recorder, February 20, 2026). The deployment of a second U.S. aircraft carrier to the Middle East further underscores the seriousness of the situation, with military assets now at a level reminiscent of the lead-up to the Iraq invasion (Financial Times, February 20, 2026).