Senior U.S. officials, including the top leaders of several federal agencies, are preparing for the possibility of a strike against Iran in the coming days, with some pointing to potential plans for a weekend strike, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke with Bloomberg.

The Israel Defense Force has just released an evacuation order in both Arabic and Farsi, calling for all civilians and employees residing in or around a designated area within the cities and Arak and Khandab to immediately depart, stating, “The Israeli army is operating in this area, as it has been doing throughout Iran in recent days to attack the Iranian regime’s military infrastructure. Dear citizens, for your safety and health, we ask that you leave the designated area on the map within the cities or Arak and Khandab as soon as possible.”

This evacuation order, which is first outside of Tehran, is for the Arak Nuclear Complex, which contains a 40MW heavy water nuclear reactor believed to be non-operational.

According to Bloomberg, U.S. President Trump’s rhetoric against Iran has shifted significantly in recent days, as political allies have convinced him that Tehran is close to obtaining a nuclear weapon, as suggested for months by Israel. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has been a primary voice urging the President to consider military action against nuclear facilities in Iran, according to people familiar with the discussions, as President Trump is said to have held multiple calls recently with Graham.

As U.S. President Trump considers joining Israel’s strike campaign against nuclear sites in Iran, his Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is reported to have been in direct contact with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi throughout the week, attempting to organize further negotiations between the United States and Iran.

In a post earlier on X, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham praised President Trump’s handling so far of the war between Israel and Iran, adding that Israel has destroyed Iran’s military and scientific leadership while doing great damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities. But the last nuclear site, the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, must be dealt with, which requires capabilities for a deep underground attack only possessed by the United States. Ending with, “Go all in. Finish the job.”

Reports of damage to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, Southern Israel following a ballistic missile attack by Iran.

What appears to be a direct hit from an Iranian ballistic missile on Soroka Medical Center within the city of Beersheba in Southern Israel.

Around seven impact sites are being reported across Israel, including in the cities of Tel-Aviv and Beersheba, following a significant ballistic missile attack by Iran

Damage seen to several high-rise buildings in Downtown Tel-Aviv as a result of an impact from an Iranian ballistic missile.

Significant damage to several buildings seen in Holon to the south of Tel-Aviv, following a direct impact from an Iranian ballistic missile.

Footage showing the moment that a ballistic missile fired by Iran impacted Soroka Medical Center within the city of Beersheba in Southern Israel.

Doctor at Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, “Just yesterday we evacuated the old surgical building that took a direct hit today. It's a great miracle.”