A White House official told VOA that President Trump is keeping “all options on the table” to ensure Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon, amid media reports of new U.S. strike plans.
Key points
- The White House confirmed that President Trump is considering all possible measures, including military options, to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
- Trump publicly asserted that the U.S. knows the status of Iran’s underground nuclear sites and is weighing a “finish it off” approach versus a diplomatic deal.
- Iran maintains its nuclear program is peaceful, while the IAEA reports a lack of access to verify Iran’s nuclear material.
The White House official told VOA that President Donald Trump is keeping “all options on the table” to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, responding to a Wall Street Journal report that the U.S. military has drafted options for fresh strikes against Iran’s missile, drone and nuclear infrastructure.
The official declined to comment on any specific military plans, noting that the administration has been consulting Gulf allies about a potential campaign and that it had previously ruled out military action before the upcoming midterm elections.
White House response to WSJ report
Trump has publicly said the United States is weighing whether to “finish it off” or reach a deal with Iran, and recently claimed the U.S. knows exactly what is happening at Iran’s underground nuclear sites, citing “Pickaxe Mountain” and stating that other facilities have been “obliterated.”
Iran’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeid Iravani, reiterated that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful and poses no threat to international security, while IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told the UN Security Council that Iran has not provided requested information to verify declared nuclear material at its facilities.
Trump's public statements on Iran
The contrasting statements underscore ongoing diplomatic tension: the United States signals possible military options, whereas Iran calls for a diplomatic resolution and the IAEA seeks greater access to verify compliance.
Reader questions
What did the White House official say about possible U.S. strikes on Iran?
The official said President Trump is keeping all options on the table but did not confirm any specific strike plan, adding that the administration does not comment on sensitive military plans.
How has Iran responded to U.S. statements about its nuclear program?
Iran’s UN representative said the program is peaceful and the country is open to diplomatic resolution, while the IAEA chief noted Iran has not provided requested verification information.
Source: voanews.com
