The White House reportedly discussed possible US military action before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
President Joe Biden held a high-level meeting several weeks ago to discuss possible US military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities, according to multiple sources cited by Axios.
The discussions were reportedly part of contingency planning for scenarios in which Iran moves closer to developing nuclear weapons before Biden leaves office on January 20.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan presented several options to Biden during the meeting, but the president has not authorized any action and no active discussions about military strikes are currently taking place, according to sources. aggregate.
A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, clarified that the meeting was not motivated by new intelligence, but rather was intended to evaluate “prudent scenario planning” if Iran were to enrich uranium to weapons-grade levels.
Biden’s advisers discussed whether the situation in the Middle East justified intervention or gave Biden an opportunity “imperative and opportunity to strike” Axios wrote. Despite some domestic arguments in favor of a swift strike while Iranian defenses and regional influence are weakened, no recommendation was made, according to the US official.
Israel also reportedly believes that Iran is “isolated” following the overthrow of Bashar Assad in Syria and that its main ally in the region, Hezbollah, has been significantly weakened by the recent IDF offensive there. This could push Iran to accelerate its nuclear program, creating a window of opportunity for an Israeli preemptive strike, according to the Instances of Israel.
On Thursday, the Iranian government reiterated its stance of pursuing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes while remaining open to new negotiations, as long as Tehran is treated with “I respect,” according to Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
Iran’s top diplomat warned that sanctions would not work on the Islamic Republic, specifically referring to the “maximum pressure” policy used by the United States during the first term of President Donald Trump.
“The more they impose sanctions and pressure on Iran, the more resistance Iran will show.” Araghchi said, calling on Western nations to treat his country with dignity. “If you choose fair, equitable and dignified negotiations and speak the language of respect, we will respond in the same way.”
Iran has long denied its ambitions to develop nuclear weapons and has maintained that its nuclear activities serve civilian purposes. In 2015, the Islamic Republic reached a nuclear deal with world powers, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which limited Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for partial sanctions relief.
However, in 2018, the United States unilaterally withdrew from the agreement under Trump. Iran has since stepped up its enrichment capabilities and efforts to revive the deal have so far failed. Last month, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi, stated that Iran was “dramatically” accelerate its uranium enrichment up to 60% purity, calling this development “very worrying.”
