U.S., Israel Move Closer to Striking Iran

The United States and Israel are preparing what could be one of the harshest bombing campaigns yet on Iran’s power plants, refineries, and pipelines, with strikes possible within days.

Quick Take

Multiple sources tell CBS News the U.S. and Israel are planning strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, possibly this weekend.
Targets reportedly include oil refineries, power plants, pipelines, and bridges meant to cripple Iran’s economy.
Israel says it is ready but is waiting for a final green light from the White House.
President Trump has warned strikes will begin “if there is no deal,” but no final order has been confirmed.

Officials Signal Imminent Action on Iran’s Power Grid

Sources told CBS News the United States and Israel are planning a bombing campaign against Iran’s energy infrastructure, with strikes possible throughout the weekend. The report said Israeli officials have been notified and are coordinating closely with American counterparts on the operation. This marks one of the most direct warnings yet that the two allies are moving from threats toward actual military planning against Iran’s economy. The target list goes beyond symbolic gestures. Reporting describes plans to hit power plants, oil refineries, pipelines, and bridges across Iran. A separate Wall Street Journal report says U.S. and Israeli officials have outlined objectives specifically designed to debilitate Iran’s economy, suggesting the campaign is meant to cause lasting damage, not just a one-time show of force.

Trump Ties Strikes to Stalled Nuclear Talks

President Trump has publicly linked the threatened strikes to ongoing negotiations. He said, “If there is no deal, we will start doing those strikes on energy infrastructure and bridges inside of Iran”. The Wall Street Journal separately quoted him saying the U.S. is ready to hit bridges and power stations. His comments suggest the strikes are meant partly as leverage, not only as a military plan already locked in.

Israel Awaits Washington’s Final Word

Reuters reported a senior Israeli defense official said Israel is ready to strike Iranian energy sites but is waiting for U.S. approval. The Jerusalem Post later said Israel was still awaiting final authorization from the White House. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz went further in a televised interview, saying, “We very much want to strike Iran’s energy targets” and that Israel is “prepared to set Iran back 40 years”.

US and Israel are planning possible strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure, CBS News reports. pic.twitter.com/kw3w0x7u4m

— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) August 1, 2026

Timelines in the reporting shift depending on the source. Reuters said strikes could come within the week, while separate Wall Street Journal coverage said an Israeli official expected action after a 48-hour ultimatum from Trump. That kind of moving timeline points to fast-changing internal talks rather than a locked schedule everyone agrees on.

Mixed Signals Cloud the Public Picture

Not every account lines up. Axios reported the Trump administration actually asked Israel to hold off on further attacks on Iran’s energy facilities, which cuts against the idea of a fully coordinated plan moving forward without hesitation. At least one Israeli official has also denied that a full return to military operations has been decided, showing disagreement even inside Israel’s own defense circles.

Why the Uncertainty Matters

No signed order, cabinet authorization, or public military directive has surfaced confirming a final decision to strike. The claims rest heavily on unnamed officials and sources described only as “familiar with the matter,” a pattern common in high-stakes military reporting before action is confirmed. That does not make the reports false, but it does mean the situation could still shift before any bombs fall. For everyday Americans already skeptical of unelected officials shaping major decisions behind closed doors, this story lands as another example of major war-and-peace choices playing out through anonymous leaks rather than open debate. Whether the strikes happen this weekend, next week, or not at all, the process itself is unfolding largely out of public view.