Donald Trump is precariously close to igniting a significant conflict in the Middle East, as negotiations with Tehran have hit a standstill over his firm stance on nuclear issues. The President is reportedly on the verge of approving an extensive military operation against Iran, which would be tantamount to a declaration of full-scale war. According to sources from Axios, the operation aims not only at military action but also at a broader goal of regime change targeting the Ayatollah. This initiative, to be executed in partnership with Israel, could become the most significant military engagement since the 2003 Iraq war, carrying major implications for the remainder of Trump’s presidency.

In recent days, the number of U.S. forces stationed near Iran’s coast has significantly increased, featuring two aircraft carriers, numerous warships, and hundreds of fighter jets equipped with cutting-edge air defense systems. Additional forces are being deployed as 150 military cargo flights have commenced transporting weaponry and ammunition to U.S. bases in the Middle East within the past 24 hours. Trump has instructed the mobilization of an additional 50 fighter jets, including F-35s, F-22s, and F-16s, as he gears up for potential military action against Iran. Diplomatic efforts, spearheaded by Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff, reportedly hit a deadlock on Tuesday when Tehran declined Trump’s demand to cease all nuclear activities, according to JD Vance.

The prospect of a conflict with Iran emerges as Republicans face a challenging midterm election season, striving to maintain their hold over Congress and prevent Trump from becoming a lame-duck president. The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for remarks. Meanwhile, Iran has temporarily closed the Strait of Hormuz for military drills, signaling a warning if Trump proceeds with an attack. This strategic waterway, through which 20 percent of the world’s oil is transported, saw live-fire exercises reported by Iranian news agencies, underscoring the high stakes involved.

The rare move is a signal from Tehran of the potential fallout to the world economy if the US goes through with threats to attack it as tensions mount between the two countries. In past times of tension and conflict, Iran has at times harassed shipping through the narrows, and during the 1980s Iran-Iraq war, both sides attacked tankers and other vessels, using naval mines to completely shut down traffic at points. But Iran has not carried out repeated threats to close the waterway altogether since the 1980s, even during last year’s 12-day war when Israel and the US bombarded Iran’s key nuclear and military sites.

The extent and impact of Tuesday’s closure were not immediately known. Iranian media said it would be for several hours for ‘safety and maritime concerns’. Trump previously was preparing for a military strike against Iran at the start of the year over the mass killings of thousands of Iranian protesters by the regime. Regional allies, including Turkey and Saudi Arabia, urged the White House to back off a strike over fears it could lead to a wider regional war with the Ayatollah.

After Trump backed off from launching a quick strike, the administration began a massive military naval build-up off as Iran’s coast while demanding nuclear talks. Meanwhile, top regime leaders, including the Ayatollah, have released threatening messages vowing to killing US servicemembers after refusing to bend to Trump’s demands.