Greg Myhre

For NPR News, I'm Greg Meechek in Rockland.

He has a range of options now that U.S.

forces have reached a critical mass in the region.

We're talking about two aircraft carriers, more than a dozen ships, perhaps a couple hundred warplanes.

All this spread around the region.

Now, at one end of the spectrum, Trump could opt for a brief limited military strike and then pause the attack and give Iran another chance to negotiate.

Trump was asked about this scenario Friday and said, quote, I guess I can say I'm considering it.

After a month-long buildup, U.S.

forces in the Middle East have reached a critical mass.

A second aircraft carrier and 50 or more fighter jets have just arrived or will be in place soon.

The U.S.

now appears capable of a sustained bombing campaign that could last weeks, if not longer.

President Trump remains noncommittal about his plans.

Media reports in Iran say the country is expecting a U.S.

strike.

Iran's leaders say they will retaliate if attacked and they have a stockpile of ballistic missiles.

Greg Myhre, NPR News, Washington.

After a month-long buildup, U.S.

forces in the Middle East have reached a critical mass.

A second aircraft carrier and 50 or more fighter jets have just arrived or will be in place soon.