"Wall Street Journal": Trump Reviewed Military Options to Strike Nuclear Facilities and Seize Iranian Islands
Wall Street Journal: Trump considers striking nuclear facilities and seizing Iranian islands after Congress
Translated by Qiyas from السياسة — Original source
- Washington prepares for the possibility of resuming attacks after congressional elections, with no final decision on implementation
The US Wall Street Journal reported that President Donald Trump has reviewed a range of military options prepared by the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) to resume operations against Iran, including strikes on nuclear facilities and infrastructure, as well as operations to seize islands under Iranian control.
In a report published on Saturday, the newspaper quoted US officials as saying that the Trump administration is making preparations for the possibility of resuming military strikes against Iran following the US midterm congressional elections scheduled for November 3 next year.
It noted that the proposed options range from targeting nuclear facilities and infrastructure, including bridges, to launching attacks to take control of Iranian islands, adding that Trump leans toward resuming major combat operations but has not made a final decision on the matter.
The newspaper added that Trump had previously threatened a major military escalation against Iran before backing down in favor of negotiations, tightening sanctions, and continuing the blockade on Iranian trade through the Strait of Hormuz.
It pointed out that the United States is bolstering its military presence in the Middle East, where two aircraft carrier strike groups are stationed, while a third group is heading to the region from the Pacific Ocean, along with the deployment of an additional amphibious assault ship carrying US Marine Corps forces.
It noted that it had observed the arrival of a large shipment of long-range missiles and bunker-buster bombs aboard the US aircraft carrier George Washington in the Arabian Sea, indicating that its air wing is preparing for the possibility of conducting a broader bombing campaign against Iranian targets.
Quoting the carrier’s captain, Nicholas Delio, the newspaper reported his confirmation that US forces are on high alert, continuously monitoring their surroundings, and ready to move when necessary.
According to the newspaper, the US Department of Defense affirmed that the military’s role is to prepare military options and present them to the president.
