Is US preparing for military action in Cuba after Iran? Army begins laying groundwork

The US military is taking another step in its planning around Cuba, with the Army Reserve examining whether it can provide troops and other support to Southern Command within the next four months.

The request includes military police, medical personnel and other units that could be made available to SOUTHCOM, according to an internal Army message obtained by CBS News.

Cuba isn't actually named in the message.

But multiple US officials told CBS that the request is connected to continued military planning around the island. That doesn't mean Donald Trump has decided to attack Cuba.

There is no order for a military operation and Pentagon planners routinely prepare options that a president may never use.

US intelligence officials began studying earlier this year how Cuba might respond if America took military action.

By July, Pentagon officials were examining possible operations, including an Army-led air assault that could involve thousands of troops from the 101st Airborne Division.

And just this week, Trump used his speech at the United Nations to turn up the pressure again.

“Freedom will be coming to Cuba,” he said, predicting the country's communist government would fall.

The administration has already tightened sanctions and squeezed Cuba's access to fuel, while also holding talks with Havana over what Washington describes as fundamental political and economic changes.

Trump has sent mixed signals about what happens if those efforts fail.

He has previously talked about “taking Cuba” in some form and said the island would be “next,” but has also said he doesn't believe further escalation will be necessary.