President Donald Trump is weighing limited military strikes against Iran, a move that could come as early as this weekend, according to multiple administration sources. The potential action follows a buildup of U.S. Military assets in the Middle East and comes amid stalled negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.
The White House has been briefed on options for an attack, with the military prepared to act if authorized by the President, sources familiar with the matter said. However, Trump has reportedly expressed differing views on military intervention, soliciting opinions from advisors and allies regarding the optimal course of action. A meeting of top national security officials was held Wednesday in the White House Situation Room to discuss the escalating situation, and Trump received briefings from special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, following indirect talks with Iranian negotiators.
Those indirect talks, held Tuesday in Geneva, yielded a “set of guiding principles” according to Iran’s top negotiator, though an American official cautioned that “there are still a lot of details to discuss.” The discussions represent a continuing effort to resolve a longstanding dispute over Iran’s nuclear program, but have not produced a breakthrough.
Trump, speaking at the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace in Washington D.C., issued a 10- to 15-day ultimatum to Iran, demanding a “meaningful” agreement over its nuclear program or warning of “really bad things” happening. Tehran responded by vowing a “decisive” response to any military aggression, stating it would consider all bases, facilities, and assets of any “hostile force” in the region as legitimate targets, according to a letter sent to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Iran also asserted it does not seek tensions and would not initiate war.
The U.S. Military buildup includes the positioning of air and naval assets in the Middle East, with a second American aircraft carrier drawing closer to the region. Iran held annual military drills with Russia on Thursday, signaling its own preparedness. The U.S. Has threatened military action since January, following a crackdown on anti-government protests in Iran, and renewed warnings followed concerns raised by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Iran’s alleged reconstitution of nuclear facilities.
The U.S. And Israel accuse Iran of attempting to develop nuclear weapons through its enrichment program, a claim Iran denies.
As of Friday, it remained unclear whether Trump would make a decision regarding military action by the weekend, with one source noting that he “is spending a lot of time thinking about this.”
