The US military has ships and aircraft “in place to strike Syria if ordered” to do so by President Donald Trump, but so far it does not appear as if the Syrian government has made any further moves toward a chemical weapons attack, CNN quoted several defense officials as saying.

Earlier on Monday, the White House warned Damascus it would “pay a heavy price” if it launches a chemical attack. On Wednesday, Defense Secretary James Mattis said believes Syria “has taken the warning seriously and backed down.”

However, the CNN reported US officials emphasized that military options were “ready to present to Trump” and that the intelligence could become more specific at any time.

“One factor US intelligence is trying to determine is the role the Russians are playing in this effort — chemical weapons use has been condemned by the Kremlin, but if Assad proceeds, it may demonstrate he is trying to publicly show independence from Moscow,” CNN reported citing officials.

Source: CNN