Amid escalating tensions with Iran, President Donald Trump faces a fateful decision regarding a potential attack, awaiting the judgment of two key figures.
اضافة اعلان
According to a report by The Guardian, Trump’s decision will hinge on an assessment by his envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, regarding the extent of Iran’s stalling in reaching an agreement to relinquish its nuclear weapons capabilities.
The President has not yet made a final decision on any strikes as the U.S. administration prepares to receive Iran’s latest proposals this week, ahead of a final round of negotiations scheduled for Thursday in Geneva. These talks will be led by Witkoff and Kushner, and their evaluation of the likelihood of a deal will heavily influence Trump’s calculations.
Trump’s Options
If a deal is not reached, Trump has informed advisors that he is considering limited precision strikes to pressure Iran. Should that fail, he may resort to a broader offensive aimed at forcing regime change, according to the newspaper.
A U.S. official stated on Monday that Witkoff has been part of Trump’s advisory team regarding the Iran strategy and has participated in all related meetings. Sources familiar with the matter noted that Trump has received several briefings on military options, the most recent being Wednesday in the White House Situation Room.
The Inner Circle and Military Concerns
Key advisors involved in the discussions include Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Antony Blinken (or Marco Rubio per the text), CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and General Dan Caene, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Vance presented arguments in favor of airstrikes but pressed General Caene on potential risks, noting he was far less confident in the success of an attack on Iran compared to the operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro earlier this year.
Sources indicated that Caene’s primary concern lies in the depleted stockpiles of missile defense systems. After the U.S. bombed Iranian enrichment sites last year, it launched 30 Patriot missiles to intercept Iranian counterattacks—the largest single use of these missiles in the nation's history.
While previous counterattacks were limited, Iran has vowed to respond with "maximum force" this time. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned last week of the capability to sink a U.S. warship.
Beyond the Military Option
To avoid a direct military clash, administration officials have discussed alternative ideas, such as allowing Iran to maintain a limited uranium enrichment capacity strictly for medical research, treatment, or civilian energy purposes.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to travel to Israel on February 28 to brief Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the negotiation outcomes.
Hardline Stances Before the "Last Chance"
Ahead of what may be the final negotiation session, positions appear to be hardening. Witkoff stated on Fox News that Trump’s directive is to ensure Iran maintains "zero enrichment capability," while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told CBS that Tehran is not prepared to abandon enrichment.
In preparation for a potential military mandate, the U.S. has orchestrated its largest aerial buildup in the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The USS Gerald R. Ford, the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, is expected to arrive within days, joining dozens of F-35s, F-22s, bombers, and refueling tankers. This buildup provides Trump with the option of a sustained aerial campaign rather than the limited B-2 bomber strikes carried out last summer.
