Israel and US Finalizing Plans for Fresh Strikes on Iran, Attack Could Begin Next Week

Washington / Tel Aviv — May 17, 2026
The United States and Israel are in the most intensive preparations yet for a renewed military operation against Iran, with strikes potentially beginning as early as next week, The New York Times has reported.
Citing two senior Middle Eastern officials, the report outlines several options under consideration: large-scale bombardment of Iranian military and infrastructure targets, seizure of Kharg Island — Iran’s critical oil export hub in the Persian Gulf — and a special forces ground operation to secure highly enriched uranium buried beneath the rubble of destroyed nuclear facilities.
American officials have acknowledged that a commando mission to retrieve the nuclear material would be extraordinarily dangerous, requiring thousands of troops, a full cordon of the area, and direct engagement with Iranian ground forces.
The uranium in question — approximately 440 kilograms of highly enriched material — was buried during a joint US-Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear sites in June last year. Analysts estimate that quantity is sufficient to construct up to ten nuclear warheads, making its recovery a top strategic priority for both Washington and Tel Aviv.