President Donald Trump announced yesterday that he will make a decision regarding potential military action against Iran within two weeks, which coincides with the estimated time Iran would need to produce a nuclear bomb according to Washington. Moscow has again cautioned against any intervention.
In a statement relayed by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Trump commented, “Considering the significant opportunity for negotiations that may or may not arise with Iran in the near future, I will decide whether to move forward or not in the coming two weeks.”
Earlier in the day, Trump informed senior advisors of his approval for plans to strike Tehran, but he expressed “doubts” regarding the effectiveness of the bunker-busting bombs in destroying Iran’s most fortified nuclear facilities.
Bloomberg reported that high-ranking U.S. officials are preparing for the possibility of a strike on Iran. Sources familiar with the situation have requested anonymity, stating that “the situation remains fluid and could evolve,” as tensions continue to escalate in the conflict.
Shift in Approach
According to Bloomberg, the President’s openness to potential military intervention marks a notable shift from his public statements made a week prior, where he advocated for diplomatic talks aimed at reaching an agreement with Iran over its nuclear program.
A White House official indicated that Trump’s second meeting with the National Security team in the White House Situation Room to discuss involvement in the conflict with Iran concluded without any formal statements.
Axios reported that U.S. officials noted Trump wants to ensure that any military action is indeed necessary and will not entangle the United States in a prolonged conflict in the Middle East. They added that the President seeks assurance that any potential strike will successfully disrupt Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Furthermore, Axios shared that advisors within the administration have conveyed that Trump is still assessing the feasibility of a military strike against Iran, expressing concerns about the efficacy of the bunker-buster bombs against Iran’s most secure nuclear facilities.
An official remarked, “We are preparing to strike Iran, but we are not yet convinced that intervention is essential. In truth, we hope it is not necessary, but the President has not been convinced that our involvement is required at this stage.”
ABC News, citing informed sources, reported that following a Situation Room meeting, Trump informed senior advisors of his endorsement of the proposed attack plans on Iran but indicated he would wait to see if Iran is open to discussing the cessation of its nuclear program.
Additionally, ABC News related insights from a senior intelligence source and a Department of Defense official, confirming that while Trump has approved attack plans, a definitive decision has yet to be made.
Iran has issued a stern warning to the United States, urging against military intervention in the ongoing conflict, particularly amidst the continued Israeli assaults, reaffirming that Tehran retains all military options available.
The Iranian official remarked, “We do not welcome any war and have never sought to escalate any conflict,” while simultaneously emphasizing that all options are on the table for Iranian leadership, and military decision-makers in Tehran are fully prepared to respond to any developments.
In Moscow, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated yesterday that the U.S. should refrain from military involvement in the hostilities between Israel and Iran. He noted that U.S. intervention could lead to a “spiral of escalation,” triggering a broader regional conflict.
The Kremlin also revealed that President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with President Xi Jinping of China concerning the situation in the Middle East, where the Chinese president supports Putin’s potential mediating role, according to Russian proposals.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned during a press conference in Saint Petersburg, “We would like to caution Washington specifically against military involvement in the situation, as it would be an extremely dangerous step with unpredictable negative consequences.”