U.S. and Israel ready strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure, Tehran prepares retaliation plan
CBS reports coordinated U.S.-Israeli bombing of Iranian power plants and refineries could start this weekend, aiming to finish before markets open Monday. Iran says it has a comprehensive response plan targeting Israeli and American regional assets.
U.S. and Israel set to strike
CBS reported late Thursday that the United States and Israel are preparing coordinated strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, including power plants and refineries. The Wall Street Journal added that President Donald Trump has ordered a new offensive that could begin as soon as this weekend and last several days. The goal, according to U.S. officials, is to push Iran toward surrender. CBS clarified that Trump has not yet given the final execution order, but both militaries aim to complete the operation before financial markets open on Monday.
- U.S. and Iran reach a provisional peace agreement.
- Iran launches surprise attack on U.S. troops in Jordan.
- U.S. military delivers retaliatory strikes.
- Trump confides the June deal was meaningless and orders a new offensive.
- Possible U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure expected to begin.
- Target deadline: operations to conclude before financial markets open Monday.
- Gaza ceasefire second-phase signing in Cairo.
Tehran vows comprehensive retaliation
A senior Iranian security official told the Tasnim news agency that Tehran has a ready plan to respond to what it called "possible American folly."
We have prepared a comprehensive response plan, which includes the vital infrastructure of the Zionist regime and U.S. energy infrastructure in the region, and we are ready.
Iran said it views U.S. media reports of imminent strikes as a form of madness, and that its counter-strike capability is fully in place.
Trump's impatience with diplomacy
At a cabinet meeting held at Camp David, Trump expressed deep frustration with the negotiation track. He called Iranian diplomats "very dishonorable" and said they almost never keep their word.
Well, they always want to talk, but they almost never keep their word. All they do is make me angry.
Trump told aides the provisional agreement reached in June was meaningless and he always knew it would not work. He suggested that more violent strikes would be needed to force Tehran to surrender, adding, "In the next four, eight weeks we will hit them until they say they can't take it anymore." The remarks came after Iran launched a surprise attack on U.S. troops in Jordan earlier in the week, triggering a U.S. military response on Wednesday.
Escalation at sea
Iranian Revolutionary Guards announced they hit and stopped two tankers attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz what they said was under U.S. military air escort. The Guards claimed the tankers were not following the route designated by Iran. Four other tankers quickly changed course and returned to their previous positions, according to the Guards' statement. The incident further tightens the strategic waterway, a chokepoint for global energy flows.
Gaza deal progresses
Separately, Egyptian broadcaster Al-Ghad reported that the official signing of the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire implementation is expected in Cairo in the middle of next week. A Board of Peace official told the Times of Israel that reconstruction will begin in dismantled areas, with a pilot housing project set to start on the ruins of Rafah in early 2027. The board has secured $16 billion in pledges, mainly from Gulf countries, but has not collected the funds pending Hamas' acceptance of a disarmament proposal.
