Tuesday, February 24, 2026- President Donald Trump is weighing a targeted military strike against Iran as diplomatic negotiations near a critical moment, officials say, and has signaled he may pursue a broader attack later this year if Tehran does not meet U.S. demands on its nuclear program.
Trump’s advisers are debating options that range from limited strikes on military or nuclear sites to a much larger campaign aimed at pressuring Iran’s leadership, including potentially diminishing the influence of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The discussions come as top U.S. and Iranian negotiators prepare for face-to-face talks in Geneva, keeping both paths — peace and escalation — on the table.
The U.S. military buildup in the Middle East has intensified as part of this pressure campaign, with aircraft carrier groups, fighter jets, bombers, and other assets positioned nearby as Trump considers his next moves.
Officials acknowledge that even a “limited” strike could have wide repercussions, potentially sparking retaliation from Iran or its allied groups across the region and complicating broader stability. Reports also highlight internal debate within the U.S. government, with some military planners warning that a limited attack might not be decisive and could escalate into a larger conflict.
Tehran has made clear that any U.S. military action — even small in scale — would be viewed as an act of aggression, promising a “ferocious” response in defense of its territory and sovereignty. Iran’s government insists it still sees room for a diplomatic solution and has rejected the hardline demands from Washington, but the clock is tight as negotiators and war planners watch closely.
The situation hangs in the balance between last-ditch diplomacy and potentially the most significant U.S.–Iran confrontation in years, with global markets and regional capitals closely monitoring developments.
0 Comments