Trump Administration Weighs Limited Strike on Iran Amid Nuclear Talks
WASHINGTON – The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a limited military strike against Iran, potentially targeting command centers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, ballistic missile sites, or nuclear infrastructure, according to reports citing sources within the administration. The potential action is intended to pressure Tehran to agree to a nuclear deal, with the possibility of a larger campaign aimed at regime change later this year if the initial strike fails to yield results.
The deliberations come as U.S. and Iranian negotiators are scheduled to meet again in Geneva on Thursday, continuing a series of indirect talks mediated by Oman. A second round of these talks concluded Tuesday, with further discussions confirmed by both Iran and Oman, though not publicly acknowledged by the U.S.
Amid escalating tensions, Iran has warned that any U.S. military action, even a limited strike, would be met with a “ferocious” response, potentially targeting U.S. military interests in the region and Israel.
The New York Times first reported on the potential strike Sunday, citing officials speaking on condition of anonymity. The Wall Street Journal subsequently reported similar considerations within the White House on Thursday.
The U.S. has been increasing its military presence in the Middle East, and the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford was observed transiting the Strait of Gibraltar on February 20, according to images released by the French news agency AFP.
The current diplomatic efforts center around a new proposal that would allow Iran to continue its nuclear program, but restrict enrichment levels to those suitable for medical purposes. However, the U.S. – backed by Israel – is seeking broader limitations, including constraints on Iran’s ballistic missile program and its support for regional proxy groups.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is leading the negotiations for Iran, while the U.S. is represented by envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Witkoff recently expressed bewilderment as to why Iran has not yielded to U.S. pressure, a sentiment dismissed by Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei, who asserted that Iranians have never capitulated throughout their history.
The European Union has urged a diplomatic solution, with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas stating that “we don’t need another war in this region.”
Several countries, including India, Sweden, Serbia, Poland, and Australia, have advised their citizens to leave Iran, citing the evolving security situation. India’s embassy in Tehran issued a statement Monday urging its approximately 10,000 citizens in the country to depart by available means.
The escalating tensions have sparked concerns about a wider regional conflict, with reports suggesting that Hezbollah may intervene against Israel in the event of a U.S. strike on Iran. The U.S. embassy in Beirut reportedly evacuated dozens of staff members as a precautionary measure.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel convened security meetings Sunday and Monday to discuss the ongoing negotiations and potential outcomes, with reports indicating that Trump is pursuing a staged deal similar to those implemented in Gaza and elsewhere.
