- US President Donald Trump leans toward military action against Iran but has not made a final decision.
- Iran warns it is ready for any scenario if Washington chooses a military option.
US President Donald Trump is inclined to support military action against Iran but may grant diplomacy an additional window, according to Axios, as tensions rise over Tehran’s internal crackdown and nuclear program.
Axios cited a White House official as saying Trump is considering a strike to punish the Iranian leadership for killing protesters. The official stressed that no final decision has been made and that diplomatic proposals remain under review. Some members of the administration believe a strike could prove counterproductive.
Diplomacy or force
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance are working on a package of options for Iran ranging from diplomacy to military operations. Most proposals currently under discussion are non-military, according to the White House official.
The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reported that several senior aides, led by the vice president, are urging Trump to test diplomacy before authorizing attacks on Iran. The report said the White House is reviewing an Iranian offer to enter talks on its nuclear program, even as Trump appears to be weighing approval of military action.
The New York Times reported that any potential strike would be designed to send a message to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei over the killing of protesters and would not aim to directly overthrow the Iranian government.
White House stance hardens
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the administration is closely monitoring developments with Iran and that all options, including military action, remain on the table if necessary. She emphasized that diplomacy remains the president’s first choice and top priority.
Leavitt told reporters that Iran’s public rhetoric differs from messages sent privately to Washington. She said the administration is carefully assessing those communications and that Trump will not hesitate to use any option he deems appropriate. She added that envoy Steve Witkoff continues to play a key role in diplomatic contacts with Iranian officials.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told Trump that Iran has crossed red lines and that decisive action is needed without deploying ground forces.
Sanctions warning, travel advisory
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said any country that trades with Iran will face a 25 percent tariff on all trade with the United States, calling the decision “final and comprehensive”.
Separately, the US State Department advised American citizens to consider leaving Iran overland to Armenia or Turkey if it is safe to do so. It urged dual US-Iranian nationals to depart using Iranian passports and warned of continued internet disruptions. The department said Americans in Iran face a high risk of questioning, arrest, and detention.
Iranian response
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that if Washington chooses to test the military option again, Iran is ready. He accused the United States and ‘Israel’ of seeking to fuel internal unrest.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Araghchi said Iran is prepared for all scenarios and expressed hope that Washington would choose what he called the “wise option.” He added that Iran’s military readiness is broader than during the last conflict and warned against efforts to draw the United States into war to serve the interests of ‘Israel’.
Araghchi said contacts with US envoy Steve Witkoff have been ongoing since before the recent protests and remain active.
