The U.S. military is now preparing for the possibility of sustained, weeks-long operations against Iran if President Donald Trump orders an attack, according to multiple sources including the South China Morning Post and The Hindu. This escalation marks a significant shift from previous limited strikes and raises the stakes for ongoing diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Iran. Two U.S. officials, speaking anonymously, emphasized that this planning could lead to a conflict far more serious than any previously seen between the two nations, casting a shadow over the indirect talks currently taking place in Oman. The deployment of the USS Gerald R. Ford to the Middle East further complicates the situation, as analysts warn of the potential for significant Iranian retaliation against U.S. military bases in response to any attack.