U.S. Central Command is finalizing preparations to restart major operations against Iran, and President Trump says Americans will know "soon enough."
MIKE DROP NEWSROOM | 06 NOVEMBER 2026
U.S. officials told Axios that CENTCOM is finalizing preparations for a possible return to major operations against Iran, though no new order has been given. President Trump met with his national security team Wednesday and Thursday, and officials pointed to the November 9 new moon as favorable for operations. Meanwhile tankers are still burning in the Strait of Hormuz and Iran says its seven conditions must be met before the strait reopens.
Mike Ritland breaks down why the new moon matters, what "finalizing preparations" means for U.S. troops in the region, and whether the carrier group headed for the Gulf signals strikes are coming.
Also covered: Iran's nuclear proposal through Qatar and its security chief's meeting with Putin, Turkey's parliament approving a defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and why a NATO ally in the fight changes everything, War Secretary Pete Hegseth's $350 billion request and the impeachment push, and Gov. Gavin Newsom emptying California's death row.
Is the carrier heading to the Gulf a sign strikes are coming, or is there still an off-ramp? Tell us in the comments.
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00:00 CENTCOM finalizes preparations to strike Iran again
01:10 Why the Nov. 9 new moon matters
02:30 What "finalizing preparations" means for troops
03:00 Tankers burn as the U.S. blockade holds
03:50 Iran's seven conditions and the stalemate
05:45 Does the carrier group mean strikes are coming?
06:40 Iran's nuclear offer through Qatar and Putin
10:20 Turkey joins the Saudi-Pakistan defense pact
12:25 Why a NATO ally in the fight changes everything
14:25 Hegseth's $350 billion request and the impeachment push
17:25 Is it worth it? What success looks like
19:40 Newsom empties California's death row
22:05 Wrap-up
