US President Donald Trump has approved military plans to attack Iran but is still holding off on issuing a final order, hoping Tehran will halt its nuclear program, three sources familiar with the situation in the White House said.
After ordering the military to be ready in the Crisis Room on Tuesday night, Trump publicly confirmed on Wednesday that he was considering an attack, the Wall Street Journal reported.
“I have ideas about what to do, but I haven’t made a final decision – I like to make it a second before the time is right,” Trump told reporters.
According to the sources, Trump hopes that by threatening to join the Israeli strikes, which have been going on for six days, he will force Iran to accept his demands. He confirmed that he is considering a US strike, but added that he could still back out.
A senior White House official said that multiple options remain on the table and that Trump is closely monitoring Israeli moves.
Israel launched airstrikes last week against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, military leadership and other strategic targets, in an operation dubbed “Operation Rising Lion.” On Tuesday alone, Israeli forces struck more than 1,100 targets, including eight attack helicopters at a military base and 40 missile facilities in western Iran.
Pentagon officials confirmed that the administration is considering options for strikes, but that the president has not yet given a final order. So far, the U.S. role remains limited to helping Israel defend itself against Iranian missiles and drones.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine met at the White House on Wednesday afternoon after testifying on Capitol Hill this morning, a military official said.
While preparations for a possible strike are underway, sources close to Trump say the president could still try a diplomatic solution.
“Maybe I will do it, maybe I won’t,” Trump told reporters, reiterating his demand for Iran’s unconditional surrender: “Next week will be very important — maybe even sooner.”
The Iranian government has said it will not negotiate under threat and will retaliate if attacked.
“Iran will NOT negotiate under duress, will NOT accept a peace under duress, and CERTAINLY NOT with a past warmonger who is clinging to political survival,” the Iranian mission to the United Nations said in a statement, apparently referring to President Trump.
Among the possible targets for a U.S. strike is the heavily guarded Fordow uranium enrichment facility, which is buried under a mountain and, according to military experts, difficult to reach except with the most powerful bombs. Israel has not yet attacked the complex.
While Trump weighs his final decision, the U.S. military continues to move forces toward Europe and the Middle East. Refueling planes, warships capable of shooting down ballistic missiles, an aircraft carrier and F-22 fighter jets, which landed at a base in the UK on Wednesday, have been deployed.
Secretary Hegseth said the US is strengthening its defenses in the region, given that an attack on Fordow could provoke a fierce Iranian response to American forces and bases.
Asked in the Senate whether he was considering military action against Iran, Hegseth said that any decisions would be made “at the presidential level” and that he could not provide further details in public.
The Pentagon, he added, is taking everything to “ensure maximum protection of forces in the event of any development of the situation,” including possible attacks by Iranian drones.
Meanwhile, Russia has also warned the United States against taking military action. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke with his Omani counterparts, and both sides called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and criticized the Israeli military operation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
