Trump Reviews Military Strike Plans on Iran Amid Escalating Middle East Conflict
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump has officially reviewed and approved a series of potential U.S. military strike options against Iran, according to multiple defense and White House sources. The planning comes as tensions between Israel and Iran continue to rise following a string of cross-border missile exchanges and renewed threats over nuclear development.
While Trump has not publicly committed to action, Pentagon officials have confirmed that strike packages have been updated and presented, with Trump demanding “maximum readiness” in the event of further escalation.
🔥 Ultimatum to Iran
According to a recent Time report, Trump has issued a sharp ultimatum to Iran: “Unconditional surrender or face consequences.” This rhetoric signals a dramatic return to hardline foreign policy positions reminiscent of his 2020 “maximum pressure” campaign.
The former president reportedly instructed top military advisors to focus on targets tied to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, missile command posts, and militia operations in Iraq and Syria.
Though no final decision has been made, national security insiders say the planning is well past preliminary stages.
“We’re not just talking options. The options are built, ready, and executable,” said one senior defense official speaking on condition of anonymity.
⚠️ Domestic and International Blowback
Critics in both parties are warning against unilateral action. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are pushing resolutions to limit Trump’s authority to launch a strike without explicit Congressional approval.
Defense experts are also sounding the alarm. They argue that a U.S.-led strike could ignite a full-scale regional war, drag American troops back into a prolonged Middle East conflict, and collapse remaining diplomatic frameworks.
European allies, still attempting to preserve remnants of the Iran nuclear deal, have publicly called for restraint. The United Nations Security Council is reportedly preparing for emergency sessions if military operations begin.
🛡 Pentagon Briefs Trump on Escalation Scenarios
As confirmed by the Associated Press, the Pentagon presented Trump with several calibrated strike plans ranging from targeted operations against Iranian proxy groups to direct assaults on nuclear facilities in Natanz and Fordow.
Trump has reportedly asked for the Pentagon to explore the political, economic, and civilian impacts of each scenario, but according to defense officials, he verbally approved several plans and instructed the Department of Defense to prepare forces for potential deployment.
“The president doesn’t want to wait for another 9/11 moment,” one advisor told Time. “He believes waiting is weakness.”
🧭 What Comes Next?
With Israeli strikes continuing and Iranian militias now threatening retaliation against U.S. assets in Iraq and Syria, the window for diplomacy appears to be closing.
The U.S. military has already repositioned several carrier strike groups in the region and activated cyber readiness teams that could play a role in an initial phase of any strike.
For now, Trump remains non-committal in public but insiders say the tone in closed-door meetings has shifted from hypothetical to operational.
