Trump Mulls Military Action Against Iran Amid Ongoing Nuclear Talks

Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran regarding the latter's nuclear ambitions are underway, yet President Trump is contemplating limited military action against the Iranian regime. Within the administration, various factions are providing input on the potential courses of action.

An ally of Trump, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, characterized the internal discussions as "less of a debate" and more akin to a "series of updates" for the president. This source noted that Trump is responding to each briefing and development, with uncertainty surrounding his ultimate decision as circumstances evolve.

Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, has been identified as a "point person" in shaping a possible diplomatic resolution, alongside prominent figures like Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Should military action be deemed necessary in the near future, these officials will play crucial roles.

National security advisors have informed Trump that military readiness for potential strikes on Iran could be achieved as early as Saturday. However, any decisive action is expected to extend beyond this weekend, with no final decision made by the president as of yet.

Rubio has publicly emphasized diplomatic efforts, asserting that negotiations remain the primary focus. "Right now, we are talking about negotiations; we are focused on negotiations," he stated during a visit to Slovakia on February 15. "The president has made that clear. If that changes, it will be obvious to everyone."

Sources familiar with the discussions indicate that Rubio has presented both sides of the argument to Trump. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has outlined military options and timelines for readiness, with all forces expected to be positioned in the region by mid-March.

Vice President JD Vance has also expressed his views in private meetings, advocating against military strikes on Iran, according to multiple sources.

A White House official remarked that the vice president "provides a multitude of different angles and scenarios for the president to make informed decisions about a wide range of issues." The official added that Trump considers various opinions but ultimately decides based on national security interests.

"It's not clear to me that he's made up his mind about what his objectives are," said former national security adviser John Bolton, now critical of Trump. "I believe ultimately there will be a use of military force because he has to vindicate the red line he drew back during the protests."

The U.S. and Iran recently concluded a round of negotiations in Geneva, with both parties acknowledging progress while noting that "still a lot of details to discuss" remain. A U.S. official indicated that Iran is expected to submit detailed proposals within weeks to address outstanding issues, although no follow-up consultations have been scheduled.

Last June, U.S. forces collaborated with Israel in strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities during a 12-day conflict, reportedly inflicting significant damage on Iran's nuclear program.

Recent satellite imagery has revealed activity around nuclear sites, including new roofs constructed over two damaged buildings at Isfahan and Natanz—marking the first significant activity detected since the previous conflict.