[Anchor]

Reports indicate that the United States has completed preparations to launch a large-scale military operation against Iran within four full days, should President Trump give the order. Meanwhile, the security chiefs of Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have flown to Iran for a final showdown to prevent a broader escalation.

Reporting from Washington, this is correspondent Lee Hanseok.

[Reporter]

CNN reported that the U.S. military has completed preparations to strike Iran within 96 hours of receiving an order from President Donald Trump.

Beyond a simple precision strike on military facilities, a large-scale attack severe enough to make reconstruction difficult is reportedly being considered.

Current officials stated that the question is not whether an attack will happen, but when, adding that the timing is likely immediately after the U.S. midterm elections in early November.

CNN reported that any resumption of attacks on Iran is expected to be pursued jointly with Israel.

[Donald Trump / U.S. President (October 23): "We could launch another small 'Operation Epic Wrath'. Or they'll make a deal. If Iran is smart, they'll say, 'Let's negotiate for real now.'"]

As the dark clouds of war thicken, key regional powers have rushed to apply emergency brakes.

The top military and intelligence heavyweights of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey—nations bound by mutual defense pacts—made a blitz visit to the Iranian capital of Tehran.

The all-out mobilization of core leadership, including the Saudi Defense Minister and the Pakistani Chief of Army Staff, stems from the assessment that this is the final opportunity to ease tensions before the situation spirals out of control.

Key agenda items for the talks included the resumption of U.S.-Iran negotiations, the lifting of the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, and the cessation of Houthi rebel airstrikes targeting Saudi Arabia.

However, armed clashes continue, with the sound of explosions from Houthi drone interceptions still ringing out over the skies of Riyadh, the Saudi capital.

With Iran and the Houthi rebels also raising the stakes by warning of immediate retaliation if the U.S. launches another attack, these talks are expected to serve as a critical watershed moment in averting a massive clash in the Middle East.

(Video by: Oh Jung-shik | Video Editing by: Lee So-young)