Donald Trump hints US may attack Iran within next 15 days

Washington (The Uttam Hindu): The US could launch a strike on Iran within the next 10 to 15 days. During an event, the US President dropped major hints about action against Iran. According to a report in The Wall Street Journal, US President Donald Trump is considering a limited military strike on Iran to force it to return to the nuclear deal.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump is considering an initial limited military strike on Iran to force Tehran to meet the US president's conditions for the nuclear deal. The move would aim to pressure Iran without triggering a full-scale war.

People familiar with the matter told the Journal that if the initial strike is approved, it would target a few military or government sites. If Iran refuses to comply with Trump's demand to end nuclear enrichment, the US government could expand the campaign to attack more locations. According to the Journal, one person said Trump could escalate his attacks, starting with small strikes and then ordering larger strikes until the Iranian government either ends its nuclear work or collapses.

Trump hinted that a decision was near. "We'll make a deal, or we'll make a deal, one way or another," he said on Thursday. At another event in Washington, he said, "Maybe we'll make a deal. Maybe not." He added that Americans would likely know within the next 10 days. He later revised that timeline to 10 to 15 days at the most.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly told the Journal about potential action, "Only President Trump knows what he can or cannot do." Furthermore, The Washington Post reported that the administration appears poised to launch a prolonged military attack on Iran, as the Pentagon builds up its forces in the Middle East.

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and its warships are approaching the area. Officials told the Post that the US forces stationed there are expected to be fully deployed by mid-March. Former US Ambassador to Israel Daniel B. Shapiro said that Israel's support would give the US significant leverage over Iran, but he warned of risks.

"They will certainly suffer significant losses from a US-Israeli joint strike, but that doesn't mean it will end quickly or be clean, and they have some ability to impose costs on the other side," Shapiro said. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei responded by threatening to sink an American aircraft carrier and hit American forces so hard they won't be able to recover.

In another message, Khamenei said, "Of course, a warship is a dangerous piece of military hardware. But even more dangerous than that warship is the weapon that can send that warship into the depths of the sea." Meanwhile, diplomatic talks between the two sides continue. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt said the two sides have made some progress, but are still far apart on some issues. She said Iranian officials are expected to come back to us with more details in the next few weeks.

Iran says it does not seek nuclear weapons. It maintains its right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes. Tensions have risen since the US withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal during Trump's first term. This has led to sanctions and periodic clashes, raising the risk of a major conflict in the Middle East.