President Donald Trump is considering limited strikes on Iran in an effort to compel the country to agree to a nuclear deal, according to reports. Tehran has warned that bases housing “hostile forces” in the region would be considered “legitimate targets” if attacked.
Potential Strikes Under Consideration
The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that preliminary U.S. strikes could target military or government sites within Iran, but would fall short of a full-scale assault that could provoke a significant response from Iran. Sources familiar with the matter indicated that Trump has been presented with the option of limited strikes.
If Iran continues to reject demands to halt its uranium enrichment program, the U.S. could launch a wider assault aimed at regime targets, potentially with the goal of overthrowing the Islamic Republic, the newspaper reported. One source suggested that attacks could escalate until Iran either collapses or dismantles its nuclear program.
Officials told the Journal that Trump has not yet made a decision regarding an attack on Iran. While senior aides have repeatedly presented the limited-strike option, recent discussions have focused on larger-scale strikes, though the extent to which Trump is considering military action remains unclear.
Recent Negotiations and Regional Tensions
The report follows the second round of indirect nuclear talks between U.S. and Iranian negotiators in Geneva on Tuesday. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the talks as “constructive,” while U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated that Iran had not conceded to all of Trump’s “red lines.”
The Wall Street Journal report did not mention Israel, which, according to Hebrew media, anticipates the talks will fail and is preparing for a potential joint operation with the U.S. against Iran. A recent opinion poll showed that 59 percent of Israelis support joining the U.S. in attacking Iran.
Trump stated Thursday that the indirect nuclear talks were progressing well, but warned of potential “bad things” happening to Iran if an agreement is not reached. He indicated a decision on a potential strike would be made within ten to fifteen days.
The U.S. president has increased the military presence in the Middle East and repeatedly threatened Iran, initially in response to its crackdown on anti-regime protesters and more recently over its nuclear program. Trump noted on social media Wednesday that U.S. military bases, including one in the Indian Ocean, may be needed if Iran does not reach a deal.
Iran’s Response and International Concerns
Iran’s UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani sent a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the president of the UN Security Council on Thursday, stating that bases and assets of any “hostile force” would be “legitimate targets” if Iran were attacked. He warned that a U.S. attack would pose a “grave threat to international peace and security.”
Iravani recalled that last year, Iran targeted the Al Udeid air base in Qatar in retaliation for American strikes on its nuclear sites. He called on the Security Council to prevent the U.S. from threatening the use of force.
Iran maintains its commitment to “diplomatic solutions” and addressing concerns regarding its nuclear program, Iravani stated.
Despite denying its pursuit of nuclear weapons, Iran has enriched uranium to levels without peaceful applications, obstructed international inspections, and expanded its ballistic missile capabilities. A previous attempt at negotiations collapsed after Israel launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last June, leading to a 12-day war with brief U.S. involvement.
Current negotiations also include U.S. demands for Iran to address its ballistic missile program and support for regional terrorist groups, which Iran has refused to discuss beyond the nuclear issue.
Amid rising tensions, Norway’s military announced Friday it was relocating approximately 60 soldiers in the Middle East to other countries due to security concerns. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed support for negotiations and Iran’s “legitimate rights” under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons during a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi on Friday, according to the Russian Foreign Ministry.
This call followed a joint naval drill between Iran and Russia in the Gulf of Oman.
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