Trump considers options in Israel-Iran conflict
The Wall Street Journal has reported that Donald Trump has approved attack plans against Iran. But that doesn't mean the attacks will be carried out, and they may just exist as an option for the US to consider.
Steven Simon is a former US National Security Council senior director for the Middle East and North Africa, and now a senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.
He told ABC NewsRadio's Sarah Morice that it may just be a tactic to buy time for Iran to offer its surrender.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
an hour ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Trump has approved Iran attack plan but is yet to hit go, US media reports
Washington/Dubai/Jerusalem: An Iranian missile slammed into the main hospital in southern Israel on Thursday, while Israel struck a key Iranian nuclear site, amid reports that President Donald Trump has approved plans for the United States to join the conflict but is yet to make a final decision on doing so. A week of Israeli air and missile strikes against its major rival has wiped out the top echelon of Iran's military command, damaged its nuclear capabilities and killed hundreds of people, while Iranian retaliatory strikes have killed at least two dozen civilians in Israel. A senior intelligence source told US broadcaster CBS on Thursday that the president had approved a plan to attack Iran but was yet to give his final order because he wanted to give Iran more time to agree to a deal to end its nuclear program. 'I have ideas on what to do, but I haven't made a final – I like to make the final decision one second before it's due,' Trump told reporters. American involvement would likely involve destroying Iran's Fordow nuclear site, which is buried in a mountain that only a US bunker-busting bomb could possibly reach. Loading Senior US officials are preparing for the possibility of a strike as early as the weekend, sources told Bloomberg, noting that the situation could change. Top leaders at a handful of federal agencies have also begun getting ready for an attack, one person said. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned against any direct US involvement in the conflict, telling Iranian state media that Iran had 'all the necessary options on the table'. 'If the US wants to actively intervene in support of Israel, Iran will have no other option but to use its tools to teach aggressors a lesson and defend itself … our military decision-makers have all necessary options on the table,' he said, according to state media.
The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
Trump has approved Iran attack plan but is yet to hit go, US media reports
Washington/Dubai/Jerusalem: An Iranian missile slammed into the main hospital in southern Israel on Thursday, while Israel struck a key Iranian nuclear site, amid reports that President Donald Trump has approved plans for the United States to join the conflict but is yet to make a final decision on doing so. A week of Israeli air and missile strikes against its major rival has wiped out the top echelon of Iran's military command, damaged its nuclear capabilities and killed hundreds of people, while Iranian retaliatory strikes have killed at least two dozen civilians in Israel. A senior intelligence source told US broadcaster CBS on Thursday that the president had approved a plan to attack Iran but was yet to give his final order because he wanted to give Iran more time to agree to a deal to end its nuclear program. 'I have ideas on what to do, but I haven't made a final – I like to make the final decision one second before it's due,' Trump told reporters. American involvement would likely involve destroying Iran's Fordow nuclear site, which is buried in a mountain that only a US bunker-busting bomb could possibly reach. Loading Senior US officials are preparing for the possibility of a strike as early as the weekend, sources told Bloomberg, noting that the situation could change. Top leaders at a handful of federal agencies have also begun getting ready for an attack, one person said. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned against any direct US involvement in the conflict, telling Iranian state media that Iran had 'all the necessary options on the table'. 'If the US wants to actively intervene in support of Israel, Iran will have no other option but to use its tools to teach aggressors a lesson and defend itself … our military decision-makers have all necessary options on the table,' he said, according to state media.
Sky News AU
2 hours ago
- Sky News AU
‘Patience is wearing thin' and the ‘battle begins': War of words between Khamenei and Trump
FDD Iran Program Senior Director Behnam Ben Taleblu has discussed the war of words on social media between the US President and the Iranian Supreme Leader. Both leaders have posted on social media about the escalating conflict, with Trump claiming his patience is 'wearing thin', and Khamenei stating the 'battle begins'. 'Between Trump and Khamenei, there's a whole world of difference,' Mr Taleblu told Sky News Digital Presenter Gabriella Power. 'Both of these leaders are looking to use public messaging to try and bolster their deterrence.'
