US President Donald Trump could imminently authorise an attack on Iran, with the US military potentially ready to strike as early as this weekend, according to sources close to the American leader.

As the strain between the US and the Middle Eastern country intensifies, a source in Trump's circle disclosed to CNN that the 47th US president might approve an attack by the weekend, The Mirror reports.

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The White House has been informed that the military could be prepared for action by the weekend, additional sources told CNN. However, Trump is reportedly taking his time over the decision, as per those close to him.

"He is spending a lot of time thinking about this," the source revealed to CNN.

They also suggested that the 47th US president is adopting a contrarian approach to this significant decision. He has reportedly been questioning military officials and aides, playing devil's advocate in discussions with his team.

However, a formal date for the attack remains uncertain. It is also unclear when the US leader will make the final decision on military action against Tehran.

Earlier on Wednesday, it was disclosed that the president was on the brink of approving a "massive, weeks-long" military campaign against Iran. Such a move would likely be perceived as a declaration of war.

Regardless, the American military has already taken action demonstrating it is "ready for war", according to a source who spoke to The Mirror. The US military escalated its war-readiness stance against Iran by deploying six additional E-3 spy planes to the Middle East.

Combined with a major cruise missile-capable submarine positioned in the region, America now stands fully armed and prepared for potential conflict.

Diplomatic talks led by Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff are understood to have achieved minimal headway, after Tehran rejected Trump's Tuesday demand to cease all nuclear development, US Vice President JD Vance confirmed.

Sources informed Axios the campaign would pursue a wider regime-change goal targeting the Ayatollah. The US and Israel would additionally conduct the operation as a joint military endeavour.

One military analyst told the Daily Mirror: "There is very little give in these negotiations and Israel has told the US its demands on Iran's nuclear and ballistic weapons. Trump knows and has already acknowledged that Israel may decide to launch strikes against Iran's ballistic missiles and US forces in the region are likely to become involved.

"Strikes are now looking very likely against Iran, either by the US along with Israel, or by Israel and then followed by the US."

Days ago, US President Donald Trump declared regime change in Iran is "the best thing that could happen", without clarifying what would succeed the Ayatollah Khamenei government. He continued: "For 47 years, they've been talking and talking and talking. In the meantime, we've lost a lot of lives."

Trump stopped short of naming who he believed should govern Iran, though he indicated "there are people" capable of assuming control.

Meanwhile, persistent reports from within Iran suggest opposition executions have proceeded, regardless of US President Donald Trump's warnings to the regime.

Aid organisations officially estimate more than 7,000 opposition demonstrators lost their lives during recent uprisings, with an additional 17,000 deaths under investigation. Concerns remain that the figure could reach 30,000, although the regime maintains the death toll stands at approximately 3,000.