Iranian media are reporting that explosions were heard in several cities in Iran, including Bushehr, Chabahar, Ahvaz, Konarak, and Bandar Abbas, amid the latest escalation in the region.

Six explosions were heard near Bushehr, where Iran’s nuclear power plant is located, and in the neighboring city of Choghadak, according to Mehr.

Earlier, Israel’s Channel 12, citing U.S. officials, had reported that the White House was preparing for the possibility of a prolonged escalation of the conflict with Iran, while U.S. President Donald Trump is convening a meeting with senior advisors and national security officials to discuss Washington’s next steps.

A U.S. official told Channel 12 that the ongoing hostilities could last anywhere from a few days to a month, depending on whether Iran continues its attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

“We will strike them hard enough for them to understand that we are not joking,” the same official reportedly said.

According to the report, Trump is expected to meet soon with his national security team in the Oval Office to discuss the possibility of further military action against Iran.

Channel 12 adds that, at least for now, there is little appetite in Washington for Israel to become involved in the operations.

One of the options being considered is the reinstatement of the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, a measure that Donald Trump has publicly mentioned in the past, though no final decision has yet been made, according to Channel 12.

The report adds that many officials in the U.S. president’s inner circle believe this would be the appropriate course of action. The United States first imposed a naval blockade when Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz following the outbreak of the war.

At the same time, according to Channel 12, Israel is preparing for the possibility of an expansion of the military operation, including a scenario in which Iran would target Israeli air bases from which U.S. aircraft have operated, such as the Nevatim and Ramon bases.

At the same time, close coordination continues between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the report concludes.

Source: skai.gr