Trump is weighing a limited strike on Iran as leverage for a nuclear deal, with escalation options on the table.
Summary:
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The Wall Street Journal (gated) reports President Trump is weighing an initial limited strike on Iran.
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The opening assault could target select military or government sites within days.
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The aim would be to pressure Tehran into ending uranium enrichment and agreeing to a U.S.-favoured nuclear deal.
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If Iran refuses, the U.S. could escalate to a broader campaign targeting regime facilities.
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Diplomacy remains Trump’s stated preference, but military options are actively under discussion.
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President Donald Trump is weighing an initial, limited military strike on Iran as part of a strategy to pressure Tehran into accepting U.S. demands on its nuclear programme, according to a report by the The Wall Street Journal.
Citing people familiar with the matter, the Journal says the opening phase could involve targeted strikes on a handful of Iranian military or government facilities. The operation, if authorised, could come within days and would be designed as a calibrated show of force rather than a full-scale assault.
The objective would be to compel Iran to halt uranium enrichment and return to negotiations on terms favourable to Washington. However, officials reportedly warned that if Tehran refused to comply, the U.S. could escalate to a broader military campaign aimed at regime infrastructure and potentially destabilising the government in Tehran.
The limited-strike concept, which has not previously been reported, suggests Trump may view military pressure not merely as retaliation but as leverage to shape a diplomatic outcome. One person familiar with internal discussions said the strategy could involve gradually intensifying strikes, starting small and expanding operations until Iran either dismantles its nuclear activities or faces existential pressure.
While it remains unclear how seriously Trump is leaning toward the option, senior aides have repeatedly presented the scenario during weeks of deliberations. More recent discussions have reportedly focused on larger-scale campaigns, underscoring the fluid and high-stakes nature of the debate inside the administration.
Despite the military planning, Trump has publicly maintained that he prefers a diplomatic resolution—though officials acknowledge that the threat of force is being positioned as a key negotiating tool.
This article was written by Eamonn Sheridan at investinglive.com.