US President-elect Donald Trump is exploring measures to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons, including potential airstrikes, a shift from traditional diplomacy and sanctions, according to the Wall Street Journal.
"The military-strike option against nuclear facilities is now under more serious review by some members of his transition team," WSJ reported Friday.
Trump has expressed concerns about a potential Iranian nuclear breakout during recent calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to two sources familiar with their discussions, The Wall Street Journal reported, indicating he is seeking strategies to prevent such an outcome.
Also on Thursday, in an interview with Time magazine, Trump refused to rule out the possibility of war with Iran, despite his campaign statements opposing the use of force to overthrow Tehran's theocratic government.
When asked by a Time reporter about the likelihood of war with Iran, referencing allegations by US law enforcement that Iran had sought to assassinate him, Trump responded: "Anything can happen. Anything can happen. It's a very volatile situation."
The Israeli Air Force is reportedly increasing its preparations for potential strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, viewing the weakening of Tehran's proxies and the fall of the Assad regime in Syria as strategic openings, according to the Times of Israel. Israeli military officials see these developments as creating new opportunities to address the Iranian threat.
Meanwhile, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, speaking in Tel Aviv on Thursday, reaffirmed Washington’s stance on Iran. He emphasized that the US “remains vigilant against the continuing threat from Iran, including the threat from its nuclear program.” He pointed to the US government’s commitment to ensuring that “the United States of America will never permit Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.”
Sullivan also said that the balance of powers in the Middle East has shifted dramatically, leaving Iran and its allies in a weaker position while strengthening Israel.
“The balance of power in the Middle East has changed significantly and not in a way that Sinwar or Nasrallah or Iran had planned,” Sullivan said, adding, “We are now faced with a dramatically reshaped Middle East in which Israel is stronger, Iran is weaker, its proxies decimated, and a ceasefire that is new and will be lasting in Lebanon that ensures Israel’s security over the long term.”