Donald Trump informed top advisers late Tuesday that he had given the green light for potential military action against Iran but was holding off on executing the plan to see whether Tehran would reconsider its nuclear ambitions, according to a Wall Street Journal report citing three individuals familiar with the talks.
At the same time, the already tense standoff escalated further when Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made it clear that his country would not yield to external demands.
He also declared that any intervention by American forces would result in “irreparable consequences.”
Over the past several days, the U.S. has steadily expanded its military presence in the region.
A third U.S. Navy destroyer has now entered the eastern Mediterranean, while a second aircraft carrier strike group is en route to the Arabian Sea, the Journal noted.
Although the Pentagon has publicly described the increased deployment as a defensive measure, the report pointed out that it also gives the United States more operational flexibility should Trump ultimately choose to align with Israel in striking Iranian targets.
The troop movements could also be a calculated show of force, with the goal of coercing Iran into softening its position or agreeing to negotiations.
Iran continues to face global scrutiny for its advancement of nuclear technology, raising alarm that the regime could weaponize its nuclear capabilities.
Trump and other international leaders have urged Iran to agree to dismantle its uranium enrichment efforts, though no such agreement has been reached. Many of the Israeli strikes have reportedly been aimed at facilities tied to those nuclear activities.
An Iranian nuclear breakthrough is seen as a major threat to regional stability, a danger to Israel, and a serious concern for the international community as a whole.

{Matzav.com}