Trump considers limited military strike on Iran to pressure nuclear deal

US President Donald Trump is weighing an initial limited military strike on Iran as a means to pressure Tehran into meeting US demands for a nuclear deal, officials familiar with the discussions confirmed, The Wall Srtreet Journal reports.

The proposed strike would target a small number of military or government sites and fall short of a full-scale attack, aiming to push Iran toward an agreement without provoking immediate large-scale retaliation.

“If Iran still refused to comply with the directive to end its nuclear enrichment, the US would respond with a broader campaign against regime facilities—potentially aimed at toppling the Tehran regime,” one source said.

The limited-strike option, previously unreported, signals that Trump may be open to using force not only as a warning but also to pave the way for a US-friendly accord. Officials cautioned that a small strike could lead Iran to suspend negotiations, at least temporarily, as Tehran considers its response.

Trump has not yet made a final decision but said he would determine his next steps within roughly two weeks. “We’re going to make a deal or get a deal one way or the other,” he told reporters. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly added, “Only President Trump knows what he may or may not do.”

US officials are considering a range of options, from a weeklong campaign of strikes designed to force regime change to smaller, targeted attacks on government and military facilities. Analysts warn that any military action could provoke Iranian retaliation and risk drawing the US into a broader conflict in the Middle East.

Trump’s consideration echoes discussions from his first term regarding a so-called “bloody nose” strike on North Korea, which was ultimately abandoned in favor of diplomacy. Meanwhile, senior US officials continue negotiations with Iranian counterparts, seeking an end to nuclear work and limits on ballistic missiles and support for regional proxies.

Recent US military deployments, including F-35 and F-22 fighters, a second aircraft carrier, and command-and-control aircraft, have increased pressure on Tehran. Iranian leaders have warned of maximum retaliation, with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stating that US forces could be struck “so hard that it cannot get up again.”

By Vafa Guliyeva