President Donald Trump has acknowledged he's weighing a limited strike on Iran, just days after nuclear talks broke down. The decision could come as early as Saturday. Tensions spiked when Iran refused to drop its uranium enrichment program. US military hardware keeps pouring into the Middle East. And Iran drills with Russia while hiding nuclear sites.
Key Takeaways
- Trump will likely decide on a strike within ten days, possibly as soon as Saturday.
- Nuclear talks in places like Muscat and Geneva failed over Iran's refusal to end uranium enrichment.
- US is building up forces in the region, with reports of a possible 5,000-person base in Gaza.
- Iran prepares defenses, runs joint drills with Russia, and pressures allies like Hezbollah.
Background
Talks between the US and Iran started back in early 2025. Trump kicked off a maximum pressure campaign in February that year. He wanted to stop Iran from getting nuclear weapons and cut its sway in the region. Sanctions hit hard. Oil exports faced new blocks. Trump even sent a letter to Iran's leader, Ali Khamenei, in March. It pushed for new negotiations. But it warned of military trouble if they said no.
By May, things heated up. Trump's team set a 60-day deadline for a deal. Iran built more nuclear plants, said its top atomic official. The US demanded Iran ship out its enriched uranium stockpile. Iran wouldn't budge. They wanted to keep it at home. Trust was low. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, canceled meetings. Trump called for full dismantling of their enrichment work.
Iran fired back. They made a new ballistic missile. Revolutionary Guard leaders threatened US bases. Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh said all American spots nearby were in range. Trump kept pushing. He sent a nuclear proposal on May 16. Iran called it outrageous. Khamenei said Trump lied about wanting peace.
Israel got involved too. They threatened to hit Iranian nuclear sites first. Trump tried diplomacy. His special envoy, Witkoff, met Iranian officials. But by June, Trump said Iran acted more aggressive. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said troops were ready if talks tanked. National security advisor Mike Waltz and Hegseth split on attacking. Trump said he's in no rush. Iran still has a shot to avoid trouble.
Fast forward to now. Talks in Muscat and Geneva flopped last week. White House calls them a total failure. Iran sticks to its guns on enrichment. They see it as defense. US sees it as a path to bombs. And now, with a deadline near, strike talk fills the air. Check our recent coverage on the US military buildup near Iran and how Trump eyes deadlines in these talks (Trump weighs Iran strike.
Key Details
Trump spoke out yesterday. He said he'll decide on a strike in the next ten days. Top advisors briefed him. They say the military can hit as early as Saturday. That's from CBS reports. White House press folks backed it up.
"There's many reasons and arguments that one could make uh for a strike against the uh against Iran. Uh the president had a very successful operation as commander-in-chief with Operation Midnight Hammer. As you know, as you just said, uh totally obliterated Iran's nuclear facilities." – White House official
Past success like Operation Midnight Hammer matters here. It wrecked Iranian nuclear spots before. Trump always picks diplomacy first. But Iran needs to deal now.
Iran moves fast too. Their military runs land and sea drills. Joint ops with Russia in the Sea of Oman. They're burying tunnel entrances at nuclear sites. Hardening mountains in places like East Fahan, Natanz, Shiraz. Hezbollah feels pressure to join if attacks come. But Lebanon might sit it out. Too risky.
US hardware floods the Middle East. Ships, planes, troops. Reports say strikes might target Iran leaders. Officials whisper that. A strike force shapes up. Trump warns of limited action. But it's ready to go big if needed.
Military Preparations
Both sides gear up. US bunker-busters stand by. Iran threatens hell if invaded. They've got missiles aimed at bases in nearby countries. Trump alternates carrots and sticks. Deal or bombs. Nicely or viciously, he puts it.
Iran's diplomat says a deal's close. But US dismisses that. Enrichment's the sticking point. Iran won't quit. US demands zero. Stockpiles grow. Sanctions bite Iran's construction and IRGC links. Ten materials cut off for nukes and arms.
What This Means
A strike changes everything. Region on edge. Oil prices could jump. Allies like Hezbollah activate. Or back off. Gaza plans tie in. Trump hosts a peace board meeting. Talks Hamas disarmament and rebuild. Israel sends Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. A 5,000-person US base there? Reports say yes.
Markets watch close. European markets eye gains amid US-Iran tensions. Supreme Court moves on Trump tariffs show limits, but options stay open (court blocks tariffs). Strike risks wider war. Israel might join. Iran calls any hit devastating.
Diplomacy hangs by thread. Trump gives ten days. Saturday looms big. Iran preps. US positions. World waits. Peace board pushes Gaza fix. But Iran overshadows it. Failed talks mean pressure mounts. Military option real now.
Frequently Asked Questions
When might the US strike Iran?
Trump says he'll decide in ten days. Some reports point to Saturday as possible start.
Why did nuclear talks fail?
Iran refuses to stop uranium enrichment. US wants it gone completely. Stockpiles and trust issues killed the deal.
What is Iran doing to prepare?
Drills with Russia. Hiding nuclear sites in tunnels. Pressuring allies like Hezbollah for support.
Frequently Asked Questions
When might the US strike Iran?
Trump says he’ll decide in ten days. Some reports point to Saturday as possible start.
Why did nuclear talks fail?
Iran refuses to stop uranium enrichment. US wants it gone completely. Stockpiles and trust issues killed the deal.
What is Iran doing to prepare?
Drills with Russia. Hiding nuclear sites in tunnels. Pressuring allies like Hezbollah for support.
