The United States and Israel are preparing for a potential major escalation in the conflict with Iran, with officials considering a joint bombing campaign targeting key Iranian energy infrastructure, according to multiple U.S. sources cited by CBS News.

The possible operation would represent a shift from previous strikes focused primarily on military targets toward direct attacks on economic and operational infrastructure, including refineries, power plants, fuel storage facilities, and parts of Iran’s electricity grid.

The escalation follows the collapse of a previous U.S.-brokered truce and memorandum of understanding. Fighting resumed in early July after Iranian forces carried out attacks targeting maritime shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting President Donald Trump to warn that future attacks on commercial vessels could lead to strikes on major Iranian infrastructure.

U.S. officials have discussed the possibility of carrying out and concluding the strikes over the weekend before global financial and energy markets reopen Monday. The goal, according to sources, is to reduce the potential impact on crude oil prices and limit broader economic disruption.

The proposal reportedly faced internal debate at the White House, with some political advisers expressing concerns about possible consequences, including rising fuel prices and international market instability.

The potential campaign would focus on Iran’s critical energy network, including power plants, oil refineries, fuel storage sites, and electricity infrastructure.

U.S. officials say the strategic goal would be to weaken Iran’s ability to support military operations, disrupt logistics, and reduce financial resources available to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

A former U.S. military official told CBS News that targeting energy infrastructure could affect Iran’s ability to provide services and maintain government operations.

Israeli and American officials have been coordinating on possible military options. The operation would mark Israel’s return to major offensive operations after it paused attacks during the previous ceasefire period.

However, an Israeli official told CBS News that Israel was not aware of a decision to restart full military operations and had not been asked to join any new U.S. strikes against Iran.

President Donald Trump discussed the strike plans during a cabinet meeting at Camp David on Friday, but sources said he had not yet issued final authorization.

Trump told reporters: “We’ll be hitting them very hard. At some point, they’re going to say, ‘We just can’t take it anymore.’”

When asked about diplomacy, Trump said: “I think we just want to win.”

Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the department would not comment on specific targets before a final presidential decision but confirmed that U.S. forces were prepared.

“The Department of War is locked and loaded, ready to execute the President’s directives at a moment’s notice,” Parnell said.

The potential strikes come as U.S. forces maintain a heightened posture in the Middle East, with military assets positioned to respond if ordered.

No final decision has been announced, and officials emphasized that plans remain under review.