WP: Trump team divided over military action against Iran

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz are advocating for targeted strikes on Iranian facilities suspected of being tied to nuclear weapons development. 

The Washington Post shed light on the internal division within the Trump administration, citing sources familiar with ongoing discussions, per Caliber.Az. 

According to the report, Trump's advisors are currently divided over how to approach Tehran. While Trump himself is leaning toward continued diplomatic engagement, it remains unclear what outcome he hopes to achieve—or how much longer he is willing to wait.

Vice President JD Vance and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard have expressed strong reservations about the prospect of igniting a new conflict in the Middle East, the paper notes. Trump is said to be weighing input from both hawks like Rubio and Waltz, and more diplomacy-oriented figures, including conservative media personality Tucker Carlson.

The Washington Post also highlights that current US intelligence assessments suggest Iran is not actively seeking to build a nuclear weapon. Nevertheless, some of Trump’s advisers warn that any strike on Iranian nuclear facilities could trigger a sweeping regional war. Israeli intelligence reportedly maintains that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has not authorised the development of nuclear weapons, even as Iran accelerates its production of highly enriched uranium.

Earlier this month, Washington and Tehran resumed indirect nuclear talks in Oman, led by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and US Special Envoy Steven Witkoff. According to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, the April 12 meeting was calm and constructive. A second round of negotiations is scheduled for April 19 in Rome.

By Tamilla Hasanova