NBC: Trump seeks "swift and decisive" blow on Iran while avoiding long war

US President Donald Trump has told his national security team that any potential US military action against Iran should deliver a swift and decisive blow to the regime and avoid a prolonged conflict, according to a US official, two people familiar with the discussions, and a person close to the White House.

“If he does something, he wants it to be definitive,” one of the sources said, NBC News reports.

However, Trump’s advisers have so far been unable to assure him that Iran’s leadership would quickly collapse following a US military strike. Officials have also voiced concern that Washington may lack sufficient assets in the region to counter what they expect would be a strong Iranian response, the sources said.

These factors could push Trump toward approving a more limited military operation, at least initially, while keeping options open for further escalation, should he decide to proceed with any action at all.

During a visit to Detroit on January 13, Trump addressed Iranian protesters, saying that “help is on its way,” and described the situation in Iran as “fragile.”

Sources noted that the situation remains fluid and that no final decisions have been made.

On January 14, hundreds of US troops were relocated from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar to safer locations as a precaution against a potential Iranian response, NBC News reported. Additional measures are being taken across the region to ensure the safety of US personnel, civilians, and dependents.

The United States currently has aircraft, naval assets, and personnel in the region capable of carrying out targeted or limited strikes on Iran.

By Khagan Isayev