The Trump administration is hosting senior defense and intelligence officials from Israel and Saudi Arabia in Washington this week for urgent talks focused on Iran, as President Donald Trump considers possible military strikes.

According to Axios, Trump has ordered a major U.S. military buildup in the Gulf “to prepare for potential military action,” with Israel, Saudi Arabia and other regional allies placed on high alert in anticipation of a possible strike.

Axios also reports that Israeli military intelligence chief Gen. Shlomi Binder held meetings with senior officials at the Pentagon, CIA, and White House to share intelligence on possible targets inside Iran that the Trump administration had specifically requested.

On the Saudi side, Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman is in Washington for meetings at the Pentagon, State Department, and White House, including with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Axios notes that Saudi Arabia is “highly concerned about a potential regional war” and is trying to help broker a diplomatic solution.

While Trump has again warned Iran that any future strikes would be “far worse” than last time, White House officials told Axios that the president “still hasn’t made a final decision” and remains open to diplomacy.

Iran has warned of severe retaliation if attacked, including strikes on U.S. bases and allied targets across the region.

Axios reports that the U.S. military buildup in the Gulf will be completed in the coming days, at which point Trump is expected to reach another major decision point on Iran.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)