Report: Trump Leans Towards Striking Iran Despite "Diplomatic Path"

SadaNews - A White House official stated that the administration of President Donald Trump leans towards a military strike on the Iranian regime, although the president is still considering Tehran's proposals for negotiations.

According to Axios, Trump threatened the Iranian regime with strikes if demonstrators were killed, but it remains unclear whether U.S. bombs would change the course of events in Tehran. Trump is expected to discuss options in a meeting with his national security team on Tuesday.

As reports emerged of hundreds of demonstrators being killed over the weekend, Trump told reporters that Iran had "begun" to exceed his red line.

The site noted that if Trump orders strikes, they are likely to target elements of the regime involved in internal security, seen as responsible for the crackdown.

However, his envoy Steve Witteck also communicated with the Iranian Foreign Minister regarding a diplomatic path that includes resuming nuclear talks.

A source familiar with the meeting reported that Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and prominent officials from the National Security Council met on Friday to prepare a list of options to present to Trump.

According to the source, options range from diplomacy to military strikes.

An American official stated that most of the proposed steps laid out before Tuesday's meeting were non-military.

Some administration officials believe that strikes could have counterproductive results, but it appears that Trump himself leans towards issuing orders for them, according to the source.

The Wall Street Journal was the first to publish Trump's position on potential strikes in Iran.

Conversely, Iranian officials condemned Trump's threats, warning of strikes on American and Israeli bases if Trump follows through on his threats.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi communicated with Witteck over the weekend to discuss the protests, according to two sources for Axios.

Sources indicated that this communication seems to be an attempt by Iran to ease tensions with the United States, or at least to buy more time before Trump takes further steps to weaken the regime.

White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt told reporters on Monday that airstrikes "would be one of the many options available" to Trump.

Levitt confirmed that while Trump is not hesitant to use force, diplomacy remains his first option.

She said, "What you hear publicly from the Iranian regime is completely different from the messages the administration is receiving privately, and I believe the president is interested in exploring these messages."