Trump approves Iran attack plans but holds off to see if Tehran abandons nuclear program - WSJ

Trump approves Iran attack plans but holds off to see if Tehran abandons nuclear program - WSJ

President Donald Trump has approved plans for a potential attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, but has decided to hold off on executing the operation for now, according to sources close to the administration [1]. The decision comes as Trump seeks to give Iran one last chance to abandon its nuclear program and avoid a military confrontation.

Trump's approval of the attack plans follows months of escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with Israel launching airstrikes against Iranian targets in recent weeks. The former president has long maintained that Iran poses a significant threat to regional stability and that it must be prevented from obtaining nuclear weapons [2].

However, Trump has indicated that he is willing to give Iran a chance to change course and dismantle its nuclear facilities voluntarily. "I've given them a deadline," Trump said in a recent statement. "Either they surrender their nuclear program, or we'll have no choice but to take care of the problem ourselves."

The former president's decision to hold off on the attack plans is seen as a sign of his willingness to engage in diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis. Trump has previously expressed skepticism of the U.S. intelligence community's assessments of Iran's nuclear program, and has aligned himself with the views of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has long warned of the existential threat posed by a nuclear-armed Iran [2].

The decision to hold off on the attack plans is also seen as a calculated move by Trump to avoid a potential backlash from the U.S. public and to avoid being perceived as the president who started a new Middle Eastern war. The former president has been vocal in his criticism of the U.S. involvement in the region, and has argued that the U.S. should focus on its own interests rather than getting involved in foreign conflicts.

In the meantime, Trump has ordered the U.S. military to prepare for a potential strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, and has warned that the U.S. will not hesitate to take military action if Iran does not abandon its nuclear program. The former president has also made clear that he is prepared to take more aggressive action if necessary, and has hinted that he may be willing to use force to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

The situation remains fluid, and it is unclear how Iran will respond to Trump's latest offer. However, the former president's decision to hold off on the attack plans is seen as a sign of his willingness to engage in diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis, and to avoid a potential military confrontation.

References:
[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/06/18/trump-bomb-iran-nuclear-facility/
[2] https://www.newslooks.com/trump-rejects-us-intel-on-iran-nuclear-bomb-threat/