A Lockheed Martin Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile interceptor is seen during the third annual “Made in America Product Showcase” on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, U.S., July 15, 2019. Photo: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque – RC1C57519ED0/File Photo

i24 News – A US military strike on Iran is not expected in the immediate future, Pentagon officials said Sunday to The Wall Street Journal, as Washington focuses on strengthening air defenses across the Middle East to prepare for potential Iranian retaliation and a wider regional conflict.

While the US military is capable of carrying out limited strikes if ordered by President Donald Trump, officials say a broader, decisive attack would likely trigger a substantial response from Tehran.

Such a scenario would require far more extensive defensive coverage to protect American forces, Israel, and key regional allies.

The United States already maintains air defense systems in the region, including naval destroyers equipped to intercept aerial threats.

However, the Pentagon is now reinforcing those defenses by deploying additional Patriot and THAAD missile systems to U.S. Central Command areas.

These systems are expected to be stationed at American bases in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, according to officials familiar with the plans.

Regional partners are also accelerating their own defensive preparations. Gulf states have begun strengthening missile defense capabilities, anticipating that any large-scale US action against Iran could prompt missile launches targeting US installations and Israel.

A senior Gulf official told The Wall Street Journal that Saudi Arabia has already received several THAAD batteries it recently purchased.

The military buildup comes as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to escalate rhetorically, even as diplomatic channels remain open. Earlier Sunday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that any American strike would spark a regional war, dismissing threats against Iran as nothing new.

At the same time, President Trump has publicly emphasized diplomacy. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One late Saturday, he said Iran is “seriously talking” with the United States and expressed hope that negotiations could lead to a deal that would prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

U.S. officials say this dual-track approach, maintaining military pressure while reinforcing defenses, reflects an effort to deter Iran without rushing into a conflict that could rapidly spiral beyond control.