NYT reports thousands of US troops on standby for Iran operation... nuclear and energy strike options also discussed

Thousands of U.S. Air Force and Navy personnel are on standby for a large-scale operation against Iran, according to a New York Times report, though it remains unclear whether the mission has been formally approved. The forces are spread across more than 10 ships and bases in the Middle East and the United States, awaiting a presidential order. The reported plans include strikes on Iran's energy and nuclear facilities as well as its missile and drone capabilities, coordinated with Israel. It is unclear whether the thousands cited are new reinforcements or include existing deployments, and the exact troop numbers and target list could not be independently confirmed. The report signals heightened military posture even as diplomatic signals remain mixed, and the next thing to watch is whether the White House formally authorizes the operation.