The Wall Street Journal reports that President Donald Trump, after a Situation Room meeting Tuesday, is leaning toward expanding U.S. military operations in Iran. Three options were examined: seizing Kharg Island, bombing the Mount Pikaks nuclear site, and expanding air strikes to energy facilities. No final decision has been made, according to the report, cited by the regional security outlet Abu Ali Express.
This report adds concrete detail to earlier indications that the Trump administration is moving toward a broader military campaign against Iran. The Zioneer reported earlier this morning (08:08 Jerusalem) that Trump was leaning toward expanding operations, including the Kharg Island option. The new WSJ account, relayed by Abu Ali Express, specifies the three options discussed at the Situation Room on Tuesday, along with the consideration of ground forces and bombing the deep-buried Mount Pikaks nuclear facility. The option to seize Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export hub, would mark a significant escalation beyond the current air and naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz. The Zioneer has previously reported on Trump's threats of 'very hard' strikes on Iran and discussions of a broad military campaign to break the nuclear deadlock. No final decision has been announced, and the White House has not commented on the report.
3 developments
- StrongTrump Threatens 'Very Hard' Strikes on Iran Tonight, Outlines Plan for Kharg Island Seizure
- DevelopingTrump Discusses Expanding Iran Strikes to Tehran, Weighs Strategic Bomber Attack, US Official Says
- DevelopingTrump Examining How to Intensify Strikes on Iran, Source Tells i24NEWS
- ConfirmedTrump discussed a short but extensive military operation in Iran, the White House weighs short-duration campaign
Source and signal
- Internal intake