US President Donald Trump has inched closer to ordering military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, approving operational attack plans while stopping short of authorizing an attack, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Multiple sources said Trump remains undecided about launching strikes, amid doubts over whether American Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs could destroy Iran's deeply buried and heavily fortified Fordow nuclear plant near the city of Qom.
Trump asked Pentagon officials if the MOP would eliminate Fordow, and he was told they are confident. But the president himself did not appear fully convinced, Axios reported Wednesday, citing a U.S. official; Newsweek has yet to verify this report. Fordow is considered to be Iran's most-advanced nuclear-enrichment facility.
Meanwhile, Israel and Iran exchanged air and missile strikes, intensifying already-severe regional tensions.
Senior officials told numerous outlets, including CNN, that Trump is less convinced by diplomatic options and increasingly open to military intervention, even as he keeps his final intentions unclear.
"I have ideas as to what to do, but I haven't made a final [decision]," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday. "I like to make the final decision one second before it's due, you know, because things change. I mean, especially with war."
The prospect of U.S. military action against Iran's nuclear infrastructure carries far-reaching consequences for American security interests, global energy markets, and the volatile Middle East region. Israel and Iran are waging direct hostilities, with hundreds killed and both sides launching missiles.
Whether the U.S. joins the fight could define regional stability for years, test U.S. alliances in Europe and the Gulf, and set dangerous precedents over nuclear nonproliferation enforcement. Congressional leaders and protesters nationwide have warned of the risk of a third U.S. war in the Middle East this century.
Trump also wants to be certain U.S. military intervention is necessary and would achieve its goal to destroy Iran's nuclear program. He also would like to avoid Washington being dragged into a prolonged war in the region, U.S. officials said.
"We're going to be ready to strike Iran. We're not convinced yet that we're necessary. And we want to be unnecessary, but I think the president's just not convinced we are needed yet," a U.S. official said.