Trump authorised attack plans on Iran but paused execution to pressure Tehran on its nuclear agenda.
U.S. President Donald Trump secretly approved military strike plans against Iran but halted the final order to allow Tehran a last chance to abandon its nuclear ambitions, according to a bombshell report from the Wall Street Journal.
The revelation, attributed to three sources with direct knowledge of the private discussions, reignites tensions over Washington’s hardline approach to Iran during Trump’s leadership and casts a new spotlight on how close the two nations came to open conflict.
According to the report published Wednesday, Trump met with senior advisers late Tuesday and gave private authorisation for a set of attack options targeting Iran. The discussions reportedly centred around key Iranian nuclear facilities, with military officials on standby for potential action.
However, Trump chose to withhold the official go-ahead, instead instructing aides to give Tehran one final opportunity to retreat from its nuclear development programme. The move, the Journal suggests, was part of a calculated pressure campaign, leaving the threat of imminent military force hanging over Iran’s leadership.
The plans were kept tightly under wraps, with only a select group of officials present at the late-night briefing. Those reportedly included military advisers, intelligence officers, and top White House aides. The White House has not issued a public statement on the matter.
The disclosure comes as Iran continues to defy Western pressure, expanding its nuclear enrichment capacity while maintaining that its programme is for peaceful purposes. Meanwhile, international inspectors have expressed growing concern over Tehran’s lack of transparency.
The Journal’s report has sent ripples across diplomatic and defence circles, with some observers warning that Trump’s actions could escalate already volatile regional tensions.
While the approval of attack plans does not equate to an act of war, it does underline how close the president came to launching military action—possibly within hours. For critics, the episode is a stark reminder of the brinkmanship that defined much of Trump’s foreign policy during his time in office.
This is not the first time Trump has flirted with the idea of striking Iran. In 2020, he reportedly considered military options after a significant escalation in the Gulf but ultimately backed away following concerns over broader conflict.
However, the Journal’s sources say that Tuesday’s decision went further, with operational green lights prepared and assets mobilised. Only Trump’s personal hesitation prevented immediate action.
The move appears designed to heighten pressure on Iran without sparking an outright war, relying on uncertainty to force diplomatic concessions.
Still, the implications are grave. “This kind of brinkmanship, especially with nuclear stakes involved, is incredibly dangerous,” said one unnamed diplomat briefed on the situation. “Even if it’s a bluff, it’s a bluff with global consequences.”
It remains unclear whether Iran will respond to the implied ultimatum. Tehran has not issued any official comment since the story broke. However, analysts note that any visible de-escalation would be interpreted as a success for Trump’s maximum pressure strategy.
Others argue that the president’s decision to hold off at the last minute may have been driven more by political calculation than a desire for peace.
As the 2024 election fallout continues to unfold, Trump’s influence over U.S. foreign policy remains potent—even without the powers of the presidency.
For now, the world waits to see whether Iran will change course or test the limits of American restraint once more.
