Axios: White House held secret talks on US response to Iran’s nuclear advances

In a private meeting several weeks ago, President Joe Biden and his national security team discussed options for a potential US military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities if Tehran accelerates toward developing a nuclear weapon.

According to sources with knowledge of the matter cited by Axios, the discussion was prompted by concerns that Iran could enrich uranium to near-bomb levels before the end of Biden's term in January 2025, per Caliber.Az.

While the meeting, which remained undisclosed until now, explored a range of military options, sources confirmed that Biden did not authorize any military action. Instead, it was framed as a "prudent scenario planning" exercise to evaluate US responses should Iran proceed with actions like enriching uranium to 90% purity.

The US official emphasized that the meeting was not spurred by new intelligence and did not lead to any decisive conclusions. Additionally, no current active discussions on military action against Iran are taking place within the White House.

Despite this, some of Biden’s top aides, including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, have raised the possibility of striking Iran. They argue that Iran’s weakening defence capabilities and the diminishing influence of its regional proxies create a window of opportunity for a successful strike with lower chances of retaliation. Sullivan acknowledged that such a decision would hinge on whether Iran had taken specific steps that justify a major military response.

Iran, which has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons, has increasingly shifted its rhetoric in recent months, suggesting that its nuclear policy may evolve in response to the strategic setbacks it has faced. Sullivan noted that these shifts in Iranian statements, coupled with the mounting challenges Tehran faces, warrant careful monitoring.

In the context of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the Biden administration has noted that Iran’s enrichment program has made significant strides. Iran now possesses enough 60%-enriched uranium to potentially fuel four nuclear bombs, and its advanced centrifuges could accelerate enrichment to weapons-grade levels. US and Israeli intelligence agencies have also detected troubling signs of Iranian research that could hasten nuclear weaponization.

While a potential Israeli strike in October temporarily disrupted Iran's military nuclear program, experts agree that Iran’s scientists are continuing work that could support the rapid development of nuclear weapons should Tehran decide to proceed.

In response to these developments, the Biden administration briefed President-elect Donald Trump's transition team on the situation, ensuring that the incoming administration is well-informed of the current nuclear threats posed by Iran.

As Biden’s final months in office draw nearer, the threat of Iran’s nuclear progress remains a critical issue for US policy and regional security. The next steps will depend on both Iran’s actions and the strategic decisions made by Biden and his successor.

By Tamilla Hasanova