limited strike on Iran to press nuclear deal: Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump is weighing an initial limited military strike on Iran, aimed at pressuring Tehran into accepting a nuclear deal, local media reports.

If authorised, the strike could come within days, targeting a few military or government sites, said the report.

Donald Trump has yet to make a final decision on whether to authorize military action against Iran, but reports indicate that the U.S. president is actively weighing a range of possible options. These reportedly vary from a prolonged, week-long campaign of coordinated strikes aimed at destabilising the Iranian leadership and potentially triggering regime change, to a more limited operation focused on specific government, military, and strategic facilities.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Trump said Tehran had been given a narrow diplomatic window — estimated at between 10 and 15 days — to reach an agreement with Washington concerning its nuclear programme. He cautioned that failure to achieve a deal within that timeframe could lead to severe consequences, warning that “really bad things” could unfold for Iran if negotiations collapse.

While pressed by reporters to clarify the precise objective of any potential U.S. military operation, Trump declined to provide details, leaving uncertainty over whether the primary goal would be deterrence, degradation of Iran’s nuclear capabilities, or broader political change within the country. However, the president had earlier suggested that regime change in Iran could ultimately produce positive outcomes, describing it last week as “the best thing that could happen.”

According to reporting by Axios, one of Trump’s advisers privately assessed there is a “90 per cent chance” that military strikes could occur within weeks should diplomatic efforts fail. The report also indicated that any large-scale offensive might involve extensive aerial and missile operations lasting several weeks, potentially carried out in coordination with Israel, a key U.S. regional ally that has long expressed concern over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

In parallel with the escalating rhetoric, Trump has already directed a significant reinforcement of U.S. military assets across the Middle East. The buildup reportedly includes additional naval deployments, combat aircraft positioning, and expanded readiness among American forces stationed in the region — steps widely interpreted as both a signal of deterrence and preparation for possible military contingencies.