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Investing.com -- U.S. President Donald Trump has approved potential military plans targeting Iran but has held off on executing the final order, senior officials told The Wall Street Journal. His decision, disclosed privately in the White House Situation Room, underscores the delicate pressure campaign unfolding as Israeli strikes on Iran enter a sixth consecutive day.
The administration appears to be leveraging the threat of U.S. involvement to compel Tehran to step back from its nuclear ambitions. “I have ideas on what to do but I haven’t made a final... I like to make the final decision one second before it’s due,” Trump said Wednesday, signaling strategic ambiguity about Washington’s next move.
While the Pentagon has reportedly prepared targeting options, Trump has continued to float conflicting messages publicly. He acknowledged that full-scale intervention remains a possibility, while still suggesting restraint amid growing regional tensions.
A senior White House official confirmed that the president was closely watching Israeli military operations before determining further U.S. action. The official added that “multiple options remain available,” indicating the administration sees flexibility despite growing pressure from allies and domestic advisers.
Trump has used similar strategies in past conflicts, favoring brinkmanship tactics combined with last-minute diplomacy. His current posture suggests continuity in his foreign policy approach, emphasizing unpredictability as a tool of influence.
The ongoing Israeli air campaign has sharply raised the stakes in the Middle East, rekindling fears of broader conflict. Any U.S. entry into the fray could shift the regional balance and test relations with European and Gulf allies urging de-escalation.