Trump Mulls Action Against Iran’s Nuclear Program

[Social Media]

 

Donald Trump, is reportedly deliberating a potential American response to Iran’s advancing nuclear program. A report by the *Wall Street Journal*, suggests that an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities is under serious consideration, particularly in the aftermath of Bashar al-Assad's fall in Syria, which has weakened the Iranian axis in the region.  

 

 

Trump is said to have expressed concern to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the possibility of an Iranian nuclear breakout occurring during his presidency. According to individuals familiar with their discussions, Trump conveyed his apprehensions while exploring potential strategies to address the escalating situation.  

 

Despite these concerns, the president-elect is reportedly reluctant to commit to a large-scale military conflict that would involve deploying U.S. forces on the ground. Instead, Trump is considering alternative approaches. Among these is the idea of bolstering military presence in the Middle East, including deploying additional forces, warplanes, and ships, as well as supplying Israel with advanced bunker-busting bombs. Such weapons are widely regarded as essential for penetrating Iran’s deeply fortified nuclear facilities, which are resistant to conventional airstrikes.  

 

Another strategy under review involves leveraging military threats in tandem with heightened U.S. sanctions to pressure Iran into a diplomatic resolution. This echoes the "maximum pressure" campaign Trump employed during his previous presidency, though that initiative failed to produce the desired outcome.  

 

As Trump weighs his options, reports indicate that Israel views this as an opportune moment for a decisive strike against Iran’s nuclear capabilities. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have reportedly ramped up their preparations for such an operation. Israeli media suggest that the fall of Assad in Syria has significantly weakened Iran's regional position, while Israeli forces have established air superiority by dismantling Syria’s robust air defense systems.  

 

“The Syrian air defense array is one of the strongest in the Middle East, and the blow caused to it is a significant achievement for the air force’s superiority in the region,” the IDF stated. This development has left a clear path for Israeli fighter jets, heightening the potential for a military strike on Iran’s nuclear sites.  

 

Prime Minister Netanyahu has long maintained a hardline stance on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, issuing repeated warnings that Israel will not permit Tehran to develop nuclear weapons. In a video address on Thursday, Netanyahu appeared to hint at broader ambitions to undermine Iran's Islamic regime. Speaking directly to the Iranian people, he expressed optimism about a future free from the current regime.  

 

“Women, life, freedom, zan, zendegi, azadi. That is the future of Iran. That is the future of peace. And I have no doubt that we will realize that future together a lot sooner than people think,” Netanyahu declared.  

 

Based on a report by Daily Telegraph 2024-12-14

 

 

 

[Srikcir]

Lest we forget why Iran is where it is now with its nuclear program.

"Killing the Iran nuclear deal was one of Trump's biggest failures", by Tom Collina, May 7, 2024, responsibkestatecraft.org

45th POTUS Trump promised a better deal.

- "Six years after the US withdrew from the JCPOA, prospects for its resurrection are dim and Tehran is closer than ever to a bomb.

- Tehran is believed to be not one year but just weeks from being able to produce enough fissile material for a bomb if it chooses to do so."

Now does Trump 47th POTUS have a better deal or just another "concept?"

 

 

 

[nobodysfriend]

I am sure that most people , especially the Iranian women , would be happy if the crazy Mullahs disappear forever ...

 

There should be another way to achieve that than another war ... Iran needs another revolution , that enables a system change .

Bombing everything is not a lasting solution , the iranian people should get rid of the Mullahs by themselves ...

Discontent is everywhere in Iran , may be foreign secret service could help to incite a revolution ?

[OneMoreFarang]

And then there is this other country in that area. It does not only hope to get nuclear weapons. It has many nuclear weapons, which officially don't exist, but everybody knows they exist.

Why does the USA support that country in any way they can, but if another country even tries to get similar weapons, then they are the bad guys.

Typical American double standards. 

[Bkk Brian]

14 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

And then there is this other country in that area. It does not only hope to get nuclear weapons. It has many nuclear weapons, which officially don't exist, but everybody knows they exist.

Why does the USA support that country in any way they can, but if another country even tries to get similar weapons, then they are the bad guys.

Typical American double standards. 

This is not about another country (Israel) which is a democracy. It is about Iran, a Dictatorship. The head of the axis of evil and its sponsorship of terrorists in multiple countries getting their hands on the most dangerous weapons known to man. 

 

Amazing how the anti Israel brigade try to drop them into every topic possible

[Yagoda]

Iran is defenseless. Lets take them out while we still can.

27 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

This is not about another country (Israel) which is a democracy. It is about Iran, a Dictatorship. The head of the axis of evil and its sponsorship of terrorists in multiple countries getting their hands on the most dangerous weapons known to man. 

 

Amazing how the anti Israel brigade try to drop them into every topic possible

Cant keep good Neo National Socialist jew haters down. Its a mental illness.

 

46 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

And then there is this other country in that area. It does not only hope to get nuclear weapons. It has many nuclear weapons, which officially don't exist, but everybody knows they exist.

Why does the USA support that country in any way they can, but if another country even tries to get similar weapons, then they are the bad guys.

Typical American double standards. 

See above, another poor deluded one chimes in again. I would note he ignores that Israel, a Western democracy ,is our close ally and they are trying their hardest to save our AMERICAN hostages, while providing us with invaluable military assistance that saves American lives. 

[renaissanc]

It's not very nice, I know, but another solution is to kill all of the nuclear bomb scientists. As they are killed one by one, the rest will not want to be involved anymore.

[newbee2022]

Well, hurrah, start another war. We don't have enough. 🥴

[OneMoreFarang]

2 hours ago, renaissanc said:

It's not very nice, I know, but another solution is to kill all of the nuclear bomb scientists. As they are killed one by one, the rest will not want to be involved anymore.

That would mean killing lots of people in the USA, Russia, India, ....

Is that what you suggest?

[OneMoreFarang]

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

Well, hurrah, start another war. We don't have enough. 🥴

Come on, the military industrial complex must be fed. The show must go on.

[newbee2022]

22 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Come on, the military industrial complex must be fed. The show must go on.

How could I forget? 😂 You're right

[thaipo7]

6 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Lest we forget why Iran is where it is now with its nuclear program.

"Killing the Iran nuclear deal was one of Trump's biggest failures", by Tom Collina, May 7, 2024, responsibkestatecraft.org

45th POTUS Trump promised a better deal.

- "Six years after the US withdrew from the JCPOA, prospects for its resurrection are dim and Tehran is closer than ever to a bomb.

- Tehran is believed to be not one year but just weeks from being able to produce enough fissile material for a bomb if it chooses to do so."

Now does Trump 47th POTUS have a better deal or just another "concept?"

 

 

 

How  do we know what you say is correct.?  Why no mention of Biden's assist with over $100 billion dollars and removing Trump sanction.  Just another Leftist taking a shot against Trump.

[rudi49jr]

I would be very surprised if Trump mulls anything other than how many Big Macs to eat today.

[Srikcir]

9 minutes ago, thaipo7 said:

How  do we know what you say is correct.? 

I quote one source, you avoid citing any counter source. Instead you divert from the topic.

"Trump Abandons Iran Nuclear Deal He Long Scorned," by Mark Landler, May 8, 2018  New York.com

"President Trump declared on Tuesday that he was withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal, unraveling the signature foreign policy achievement of his predecessor Barack Obama, isolating the United States from its Western allies and sowing uncertainty before a risky nuclear negotiation with North Korea."

 

"5 years after U.S. left Iran nuclear deal, more enriched Uranium and much less trust," May 30, 2023 by Connor Donevan, Courtney Dorning, Mary Louise Kelly - npr.org

"It was then-President Trump who, five years ago this month, yanked the U.S. out of the nuclear deal known as the JCPOA, Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. What followed is the U.S. reimposed crushing sanctions. Over time, Iran stopped adhering to the limits the deal had imposed, and day by day, its nuclear program crept forward."

Personally, I think Trump's rejection of the deal was purely that the deal was formulated by Obama. Technically the deal was beyond Trump's comprehension and would give credit to his nemesis Obama. 

 

[placnx]

9 hours ago, nobodysfriend said:

I am sure that most people , especially the Iranian women , would be happy if the crazy Mullahs disappear forever ...

 

There should be another way to achieve that than another war ... Iran needs another revolution , that enables a system change .

Bombing everything is not a lasting solution , the iranian people should get rid of the Mullahs by themselves ...

Discontent is everywhere in Iran , may be foreign secret service could help to incite a revolution ?

People in Iran are mostly born after 1953. but they are nonetheless aware that the CIA ran a coup that ousted the democratic government led by Mossadegh and elevated the Shah to autocrat status supported by SAVAK,a rather unpleasant secret police, so like the Syrians, I doubt that Iranians would like the interference of Mossad or CIA to institute regime change.

[Chomper Higgot]

Iran, a sovereign state, was signatory to a treaty under which it would not produce nuclear weapons. 
 

Trump unilaterally withdrew from and therefore nullified that treaty.

 

Now 

16 hours ago, Social Media said:

Trump is said to have expressed concern to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the possibility of an Iranian nuclear breakout occurring during his presidency.

It’s as if cause and effect don’t exist in Trump’s brain.

 

I doubt too the long term consequences of a US attack on Iran have been thought about either.

 

Take the gloves off, the gloves come off.

[Bkk Brian]

58 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Iran, a sovereign state, was signatory to a treaty under which it would not produce nuclear weapons. 
 

Trump unilaterally withdrew from and therefore nullified that treaty.

 

Now 

It’s as if cause and effect don’t exist in Trump’s brain.

 

I doubt too the long term consequences of a US attack on Iran have been thought about either.

 

Take the gloves off, the gloves come off.

The US approved plans by Israel to strike Iran under Biden. Not a lot of difference in Trump taking away the middle man, "if" it goes that way.

[AndreasHG]

12 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Why does the USA support that country in any way they can

 

Maybe because "that country" always behaved in a much more responsible way than Iran (and other countries on the US black list). Even the recent events surrounding Gaza are a reaction (maybe disproportioned, albeit I disagree) to the heinous crimes committed by Hamas on October the 7th, 2023.

 

On the other end I do not see how bombing Iran can prevent the country from acquiring a nuclear deterrent. North Korea couldn't be stopped, and Iran has infinite more resources than the economically broken, tiny, enslaved, Asian country,

Iran's nuclear program can be delayed but not stopped.

 

There is another fact I find disturbing. The list of countries that are at odds with the US is getting longer and longer. It is much easier to make it into the list than to drop off of it. There was a time the USA and Iran cooperated in a transactional agreement, in which each partner had something to gain. It took a congressional committee, and the crucifixion of several dozen Reagan administration officials in front of the public opinion, including Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and Lieutenant colonel Oliver North, to scrap it.
After that, no more serious attempts to open the communication channels between the two countries was done. I consider that a lost opportunity. 

 

Iran is in a delicate geostrategic spot, right on the way from Moscow to the Iraqi and Saudi oil fields. The only serious military aggression post-revolutionary Iran recorded against its territorial integrity was carried out by a Soviet Union loyal ally (Saddam Hussein's Iraq), not by the USA and not by Israel. The Shah relied on the USA for his own and his country security. After the Khomeini led revolution, the USA left Iran out in the cold, giving Iran very few options.

 

[bokningar]

13 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

And then there is this other country in that area. It does not only hope to get nuclear weapons. It has many nuclear weapons, which officially don't exist, but everybody knows they exist.

Why does the USA support that country in any way they can, but if another country even tries to get similar weapons, then they are the bad guys.

Typical American double standards. 

If you don't understand the difference, I don't think anyone can help you.

 

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, Bkk Brian said:

The US approved plans by Israel to strike Iran under Biden. Not a lot of difference in Trump taking away the middle man, "if" it goes that way.

There is a whole lot of difference.

 

The escalation and involvement of U.S. forces being the most obvious.

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

1 minute ago, Chomper Higgot said:

There is a whole lot of difference.

 

The escalation and involvement of U.S. forces being the most obvious.

 

 

Really don't see any difference, Iran No1 enemy is Israel, the serious strikes Israel did including on Iran's nuclear capabilities was immense. 

[Chomper Higgot]

1 minute ago, Bkk Brian said:

Really don't see any difference, Iran No1 enemy is Israel, the serious strikes Israel did including on Iran's nuclear capabilities was immense. 

How has that worked out?

[Bkk Brian]

1 minute ago, Chomper Higgot said:

How has that worked out?

I am not in Iran at the nuclear facility to pass that on but the satellite evidence was

[AndreasHG]

2 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Iran No1 enemy is Israel

 

Israel is an importer of oil and gas, it has a vested interest in keeping the oil and gas flowing and their prices low. Iran, on the other end, is an oil exporter, a member of the OPEC, and it has a vested interest in keeping the oil flowing.

 

There is no structural reason for any enmity between Iran and Israel. The only reason is that after the revolution, because of Khomeini's obtuse dogmatic stance with regards to everything Western, and the hostage taking in the Theran American Embassy, Iran found itself out in the cold, without American protection, at the mercy of the Soviets (Iraq).

 

Hit by sanctions, limited in its capability to export its oil, Iran was left with only one choice. Accept to act as a proxy for Russia and threaten the oil exporting countries in the Gulf, jeopardizing oil supplies and pushing oil and gas prices up, for the benefit of Russia.

[Bkk Brian]

9 hours ago, AndreasHG said:

 

Israel is an importer of oil and gas, it has a vested interest in keeping the oil and gas flowing and their prices low. Iran, on the other end, is an oil exporter, a member of the OPEC, and it has a vested interest in keeping the oil flowing.

 

There is no structural reason for any enmity between Iran and Israel. The only reason is that after the revolution, because of Khomeini's obtuse dogmatic stance with regards to everything Western, and the hostage taking in the Theran American Embassy, Iran found itself out in the cold, without American protection, at the mercy of the Soviets (Iraq).

 

Hit by sanctions, limited in its capability to export its oil, Iran was left with only one choice. Accept to act as a proxy for Russia and threaten the oil exporting countries in the Gulf, jeopardizing oil supplies and pushing oil and gas prices up, for the benefit of Russia.

Thanks, to be honest whether that is a factor or not I just look at the clear statements made and of course followed by real world actions, ie sponsoring other terrorists to wipe Israel off the map.

 

This from 20 years ago:

Israel should be wiped off map, says Iran's president
Iran's new president created a sense of outrage in the west yesterday by describing Israel as a "disgraceful blot" that should be "wiped off the face of the earth". Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who is more hardline than his predecessor, told students in Tehran that a new wave of Palestinian attacks would be enough to finish off Israel.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/oct/27/israel.iran

 

12 years ago:

 

Iran will wipe Israel off the face of the earth!

Israel is an artificial creature in the Middle East and will disappear completely, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Thursday ahead of anti-Israel rallies to be held in Iranian cities on Friday.

https://telegrafi.com/en/irani-do-ta-zhduk-izraelin-nga-faqja-e-dheut/

 

Of course they have failed miserably and will continue to fail. I hear they have also ditched all pagers just in case.......lol

[AndreasHG]

52 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Thanks, to be honest whether that is a factor or not I just look at the clear statements made and of course followed by real world actions, ie sponsoring other terrorists to wipe Israel off the map.

 

Iran went through different political phases, before turning into the dead-end street it finds itself in now.
Iran made several attempts to normalize its relationship with the West, and particularly with the United States. The Iran-Contras affair in the first half of the 80s, and Mohammad Khatami's presidency, from1999 to 2005. Both wasted opportunities in my opinion, due to disagreements within the Iranian clergy on the appropriate course of action to be taken, and Western (especially American) intransigence. 

Interestingly, as recently as 2023 Khatami urged the "prioritizing of Iran's national interests" and called for the adoption of a “moderate” foreign policy. The same message was repeated when commenting Hamas attack on Israelis innocent civilians on October 7, 2023. While praising the attack as a "great Achievement for the people [of Palestine]" he again emphasized the necessity of political prudence, paying attention to national interests in Iran and avoiding hasty and provocative positions, considered the interference of political polarization in foreign positions harmful to both Iranians, Palestinians and Muslims, and expressed his hope that what has happened now in the occupied territories will ultimately benefit the oppressed people of Palestine and the nations of the region (Seyyed Mohammad Khatami's Reaction to Al-Aqsa Storm / Force and Occupation Are Not the Source of Legitimacy).

 

Not everything is necessarily lost when it comes to Iran. And I hope Trump, with his out-of-the-box way of thinking, may find a way to crack this nut. After all, he didn't hesitate to sit down with rocket man during his first presidency. He may find the time to sit down with Ali Khamenei or, hopefully, with Khamenei's more pragmatic successor and have a fruitful meeting.

 

[Bkk Brian]

 

8 minutes ago, AndreasHG said:

 

Iran went through different political phases, before turning into the dead-end street it finds itself in now.
Iran made several attempts to normalize its relationship with the West, and particularly with the United States. The Iran-Contras affair in the first half of the 80s, and Mohammad Khatami's presidency, from1999 to 2005. Both wasted opportunities in my opinion, due to disagreements within the Iranian clergy on the appropriate course of action to be taken, and Western (especially American) intransigence. 

Interestingly, as recently as 2023 Khatami urged the "prioritizing of Iran's national interests" and called for the adoption of a “moderate” foreign policy. The same message was repeated when commenting Hamas attack on Israelis innocent civilians on October 7, 2023. While praising the attack as a "great Achievement for the people [of Palestine]" he again emphasized the necessity of political prudence, paying attention to national interests in Iran and avoiding hasty and provocative positions, considered the interference of political polarization in foreign positions harmful to both Iranians, Palestinians and Muslims, and expressed his hope that what has happened now in the occupied territories will ultimately benefit the oppressed people of Palestine and the nations of the region (Seyyed Mohammad Khatami's Reaction to Al-Aqsa Storm / Force and Occupation Are Not the Source of Legitimacy).

 

Not everything is necessarily lost when it comes to Iran. And I hope Trump, with his out-of-the-box way of thinking, may find a way to crack this nut. After all, he didn't hesitate to sit down with rocket man during his first presidency. He may find the time to sit down with Ali Khamenei or, hopefully, with Khamenei's more pragmatic successor and have a fruitful meeting.

 

I am focusing more on the Trump/Israel dynamics as in the OP.

 

On 12/14/2024 at 3:08 AM, Social Media said:

Trump is said to have expressed concern to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the possibility of an Iranian nuclear breakout occurring during his presidency. According to individuals familiar with their discussions, Trump conveyed his apprehensions while exploring potential strategies to address the escalating situation.  

 

[mdr224]

On 12/13/2024 at 4:24 PM, OneMoreFarang said:

And then there is this other country in that area. It does not only hope to get nuclear weapons. It has many nuclear weapons, which officially don't exist, but everybody knows they exist.

Why does the USA support that country in any way they can, but if another country even tries to get similar weapons, then they are the bad guys.

Typical American double standards. 

Youre one of the virtue signallers that i hope get dropped off in iran

[LosLobo]

3 hours ago, mdr224 said:

Youre one of the virtue signallers that i hope get dropped off in iran

Accusing others of 'virtue signaling' is really a form of virtue signaling itself. If you think calling it out makes you seem more genuine, it actually makes you come across as a bit of a hypocrite.

[Will B Good]

Why would it involve deploying troops on the ground?

 

Can't they just go in, bomb it all to kingdom come and retire to a safe distance?