The United States and Israel are planning one of the most powerful airstrike operations in history targeting Iran's energy infrastructure this weekend, U.S. broadcaster CBS reported on the 31st (local time).

Citing multiple sources, the report stated that discussions were held to conclude the airstrikes before the financial markets open on the 3rd due to concerns over the impact on not only the U.S. but also the global economy, though a specific end time has not yet been finalized.

The airstrike plan has already been communicated to Israel, and the two sides are in discussions for the attack.

CBS reported that U.S. President Donald Trump has not yet given final approval.

On the other hand, the U.S. daily The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), citing U.S. officials, reported that "President Trump has ordered a new attack to bring Iran to its knees, and the attack will begin this weekend and continue for several days."

While differing only on whether President Trump has approved the airstrikes, both outlets reported that a massive airstrike against Iran will be carried out this weekend.

President Trump had earlier hinted at a massive airstrike against Iran during a cabinet meeting held at Camp David, Maryland, on the same day.

He stated, "We will hit them very hard," adding, "At some point, they (Iran) will say, 'We can't take it anymore.'"

The Iran war, which began on February 28, saw a growing possibility of an end to the hostilities in mid-June as an armistice memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed and negotiation phases were arranged between the U.S. and Iran.

However, conflicts flared up again due to differences in interpretation regarding the control of the Strait of Hormuz within the MOU. As Iran continued attacks on commercial merchant vessels in the strait, President Trump ordered consecutive airstrikes against Iran for 13 days starting from the 11th based on U.S. Eastern Time, and Iran also struck U.S. military bases in the Middle East, leading to an exchange of armed hostilities between the two sides for a while.

President Trump had suspended airstrikes starting from the 24th, stating that negotiations with Iran were underway, but after Iran launched a surprise preemptive attack on a U.S. military base in Jordan on the 28th, the U.S. carried out retaliatory airstrikes on the 29th, pushing tensions in the Middle East to a peak.

Although the U.S. military took a day off from airstrikes on the 30th, if airstrikes resume on August 1 as reported by CBS and WSJ on this day, the Iran war is highly likely to escalate into an all-out war reminiscent of the early stages of the conflict.

He has repeatedly threatened to bomb and destroy Iran's bridges or power plants whenever it happens.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)