ISLAMABAD: United States (US) President Donald Trump privately approved military plans for a potential strike on Iran, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
The decision, made during a high-level meeting in the White House Situation Room, was contingent on whether Tehran would abandon its nuclear programme, the report said.
Citing three individuals familiar with the matter, the WSJ revealed that Trump told senior aides late on a Tuesday night that he was in favour of executing the attack plans.
However, he withheld issuing a final order, to assess Iran’s willingness to abandon its nuclear programme.
While responding to a reporter’s question, President Trump said that “Iran’s got a lot of trouble.”
Asked about whether he had decided to strike at Iran’s nuclear facilities, he said, “I may do it, I may not do it.”
During his first term, Trump pulled the United States out of a landmark agreement to relieve sanctions on Iran in return for curbs on its nuclear programme.
The United States and Iran have had several rounds of talks since Trump returned to the White House, but after initially striking an optimistic tone, the discussions have foundered in recent days.
