Trump Mulls Military Action as Iran Promises ‘Irreparable Damage’ in Retaliation
President Trump said Wednesday afternoon that he has not yet made a decision on whether to attack Iran’s nuclear sites.
“I have ideas as to what to do,” Trump said. Earlier in the day, he told reporters, “I may do it, I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I am going to do.”
Trump’s comments are fueling speculation that the U.S. might join Israel’s assault to dismantle Iran’s nuclear capabilities which could create a wider conflict in the Middle East.
WHAT IRAN IS SAYING
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismissed Trump’s call for an “unconditional surrender” from Iran, saying “The Americans should know that any U.S. military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable damage.”
Trump told reporters Wednesday that Iran is interested in negotiating — even suggesting Iranian officials would travel to the White House for talks, but said Tehran should have proposed peace talks sooner.
“Why didn’t you negotiate with me two weeks ago,” Trump asked of Iran’s timing. “You could have done fine.”
Iran’s UN mission appeared to deny Trump’s claim, saying it does not “grovel at the gates of the White House” or “negotiate under duress.”
WHAT A STRIKE COULD LOOK LIKE
Brett McGurk, President Biden’s former top Middle East adviser, who also served under Presidents Bush, Obama, and Trump said on CNN Wednesday, that he expects a U.S. strike on Iran’s Fordow nuclear site to take place within “a few days.” Fordow is buried deep beneath a mountain and would require a 30,000 pound bunker buster bomb that the U.S. has in its arsenal to destroy.
Why? He pointed to recent military movements and Trump’s call on Tuesday for “unconditional surrender,” which he said leaves little room for diplomacy.
What now? McGurk said now is the time for the U.S. to secure its assets, align with Israel on mission goals and continue to explore a potential diplomatic off-ramp for Iran.
What could be next? Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was asked by Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) during testimony on Capitol Hill what the day after a potential strike on Iran would look like. He responded that the administration has “plans for everything.”
If American B-2 stealth bombers are deployed, it would mark the first use of the bunker-busting bomb, which was specifically developed for this type of operation. The Fordow nuclear site sits nearly 300 feet underground and was built to withstand airstrikes.
