The Wall Street Journal reports that then-Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Vice President JD Vance urged President Donald Trump to exercise restraint before launching the U.S. military campaign against Iran, warning that war could lead to major casualties, regional attacks, and nuclear risks.
The Wall Street Journal report, published Tuesday evening, adds new details to the known pre-war warnings inside the Trump administration. According to the Journal, both Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Vice President JD Vance cautioned the president that a full-scale military campaign against Iran risked significant casualties, the expansion of regional conflict, and the potential for nuclear escalation.
The report follows a previous WSJ story earlier on Tuesday, as The Zioneer reported, in which Gabbard specifically warned that eliminating Supreme Leader Khamenei could empower a more radical successor regime willing to pursue nuclear weapons and trigger a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The Journal now indicates that Vance privately echoed similar concerns, adding to pressure from senior intelligence and military officials.
The warnings, however, did not prevent Trump from authorizing the strike campaign against Iran. The Journal's account does not specify whether the cautions directly influenced the scope or timing of the operation.
- DevelopingWSJ: Gabbard warned Trump that killing Khamenei would empower a successor willing to pursue nuclear weapons
- StrongCNN: VP Vance also urged Trump against wide Iran strikes, report says
- DevelopingUS VP Vance: skepticism of foreign wars does not mean never using force on Iran
- DevelopingSky News: Trump advisors urge immediate resumption of high-intensity war with Iran ahead of midterms
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