Tensions soar as Trump okays Iran strike plans

US President Donald Trump has reportedly approved plans for military strikes to target Iran, although he is yet to make a final decision as to whether or not they should go ahead, according to the BBC via CBS News on June 18th.

Citing a senior intelligence source, the report states that Trump opted to delay action in hopes that Tehran might agree to abandon its nuclear ambitions.

The target under consideration is Iran’s Fordo nuclear facility – an underground uranium enrichment site. This comes as Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected Washington’s demand for “unconditional surrender,” warning that any US military action would come at a high price.

In a speech, Khamenei said: “The Iranian nation will not surrender.” His remarks followed Trump’s comments that he might strike, saying, “I may do it, I may not do it,” and brushing off Iran’s response with, “Good luck.”

The BBC confirmed that US forces have begun reinforcing their military presence. A US Navy strike group, led by the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier is heading towards the Gulf, with additional air assets, including refuelling tankers and advanced fighter jets, seen en route from Europe. Trump’s Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told the Senate the Pentagon was prepared to act on any presidential order.

So far, the US has not formally requested the use of UK military bases in Diego Garcia or Cyprus. A British government source said “all options” appeared to be under discussion in Washington, athough no clear military intention had been communicated.

According to The Washington Post on June 13th, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Rubio described Israel’s attack as “unilateral” in the initial hours of the conflict. The White House seemed to seek distance from the attack and reiterated that the US was not involved, which is no longer the case.

Tensions in the region have escalated rapidly since Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian territory on June 13th. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces were targeting nuclear facilities, missile stockpiles, and regime infrastructure. “We control the skies over Tehran,” he declared in a video message.

Iran has retaliated by firing more than 400 missiles into Israeli territory, killing 24 civilians, according to Israeli officials. Human Rights Activists, a US-based organisation, reports 585 deaths in Iran from Israeli strikes, including 239 civilians and 126 members of the security forces.

The US Embassy in Jerusalem has issued evacuation plans for Americans in Israel. It remains unclear how many US citizens are trying to leave or whether the US military will provide support.

BBC via CBS, The Washington Post, Maghrebi.org