The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reported that President Donald Trump has ordered a new wave of attacks against Iran, with operations potentially beginning as early as this weekend and continuing for several days. The goal is to escalate military pressure to compel Tehran to yield.
At a cabinet meeting held Friday at Camp David, Trump stated that the US military would launch "very fierce" attacks on Iran. He believes that sustained pressure will eventually become unbearable for the Iranian regime, forcing it back to the negotiating table.
This hardline stance contrasts with Trump's earlier statements this week, when he claimed that "very friendly negotiations" were underway between the US and Iran, allowing for a pause in military actions. However, Iran's surprise attack on US troops stationed in Jordan prompted retaliatory strikes by the US on Wednesday, reigniting tensions.
US officials revealed that Trump has privately expressed frustration to his aides over recent weeks, describing Iran as "crazy" and dismissing previous temporary peace agreements as meaningless.
On Friday, Trump publicly criticized Iranian diplomats as "highly untrustworthy," accusing Tehran of repeatedly breaking promises. He argued that only more intense military action can break Iran's resistance.
Iran, too, expresses frustration over repeated breakdowns in negotiations.
Iranian officials say there is no fundamental trust between the two nations, and that Trump's repeated threats of military force further erode diplomatic prospects. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vowed Thursday to resume attacks on US forces following American retaliatory airstrikes.
As the US-Iran conflict enters its sixth month, neither side shows signs of compromise. Trump continues to demand that Iran abandon its nuclear program and relinquish control over the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran refuses to concede on these core issues.
One military option under consideration by Trump is a two-week campaign of concentrated airstrikes aimed at degrading Iran's missile capabilities. However, US military advisors have warned that dwindling ammunition stockpiles could limit the ability to expand or prolong the offensive.
Some US officials believe Iran may be deliberately stalling negotiations, betting that Trump will eventually scale back long-term military operations due to rising domestic anti-war sentiment and political pressure within the United States.
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- Source: PR Times
- Category: News