U.S. forces in the Middle East can launch new and potentially major operations against Iran “within 96 hours” of receiving an order from President Trump, two U.S. officials told CNN. The forces are already in place. According to the sources, the operations would go well beyond the limited strikes on radars and launchers that the U.S. has carried out since halting full combat operations earlier this year. “It will be a big effort,” one official said.

Other current and former officials told CNN that it is “a question of when, not if,” Trump issues the order. They expect it before the end of the year, most likely after the Nov. 3 midterms. Central Command and the Pentagon have drawn up a target list that includes Iranian energy infrastructure, military sites and nuclear facilities. Trump has not decided, CNN’s sources say, but appears to be leaning toward major action. Nonessential personnel due to deploy in the next troop rotation have been told they are no longer going. The embassy in Riyadh is under ordered departure, and other embassies in the region are expected to follow.