Latest news with #USJointChiefsofStaff
NDTV
7 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Inside Details Of White House Activity When US Bombed Iran Nuclear Sites
New Delhi: On June 19, the White House said US President Donald Trump will make a decision on the US joining the Israel-Iran conflict within two weeks. Two days later, the US' B-2 Bombers struck three nuclear facilities in Iran. Addressing the media, Trump called Iran the "bully of the Middle East" and warned that if Iran does not "make peace", the attacks that follow will be "far greater and a lot easier". According to a report in The Washington Post, even as Trump issued the two-week deadline, a strike plan was in the works at the White House, but very few people knew of it. Addressing the media after the airstrikes, General Dan Caine, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Operation Midnight Hammer was highly classified, "with very few people in Washington knowing the timing or nature of the plan". Many senior officials in Washington learnt of the strikes only after Trump posted on Truth Social. Was Trump Bluffing? A senior official told The Washington Post that Trump's two-week remark "was our attempt to throw the Iranians off guard". "But there was also some truth to it," added the official, detailing how Trump flooded officials with questions on how they planned to keep the operation surgical to prevent a serious escalation to the conflict. Trump, it is learnt, also stressed that he could abort the plan at any moment, up until the US aircraft reached Iranian airspace. From Diplomacy To Attack Mode According to US officials, Trump had repeatedly pushed for a diplomatic solution to the conflict, but tilted towards military action as he felt Iran was unwilling to make adequate concessions during talks. On Friday, Iran's Foreign Affairs Minister Abbas Araghchi met European officials. "He (Trump) knew there probably wouldn't be a breakthrough, which is why the Pentagon was putting together a plan" through the week, an official said. Friday's meeting "was a genuine effort by Europeans for diplomacy, but no interest from Iran at all", a senior diplomat involved in the meeting said. JD Vance's Word Of Caution Two top officials have told The Washington Post that several key government officials, including Vice President and Iraq War veteran JD Vance, advised caution during the talks on military action and gave suggestions on how the US must proceed. Vance, known to be sceptical about the US entering wars, wanted to "make sure all the tires were kicked" and risks to US forces were minimised. As Trump made up his mind about the strikes, Vance and the others supported him, White House officials said. The officials also referred to a "camaraderie" within the small team that knew what was coming and trashed reports of internal discord. The Day Of Attack After the stealth bombers took off on Saturday morning, the President and the Vice-President went on with the scheduled engagements. Trump went to his gold club in New Jersey, and Vance was on a flight returning from California. Their presence at fundraisers on opposite coasts dropped no hints for observers about what was in the works. As the bombers entered the Iranian airspace, Trump reached the White House. The airstrikes followed. Twenty minutes after the bombers had exited the Iranian airspace, Trump announced the strikes on Truth Social. According to US officials, Trump and Vance were in the Situation Room during the operation. Accompanying them were US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, among others. How US Tweaked Stand On Israel Strikes Just nine days before Operation Midnight Hammer, Rubio said Israel's action against Iran was "unilateral" and the US is "not involved". Washington seemed to be making it clear that Tel Aviv is acting alone. That changed in the coming days. On Monday, Trump warned Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, that he could easily be killed. The next day, he started referring to the US and Israel as a unit and claimed credit for the use of American equipment in Israel's aerial offensive against Iran. Trump's Chat With Those Who Did Not Agree According to The Washington Post report, Trump met influential aides such as Stephen K Bannon and Charlie Kirk and discussed the matter. Officials said he was happy to hear from Bannon and other voices critical of US involvement in this conflict, but they did not sway him. "He was listening to people across the ideological perspective. Ultimately, the president felt this is a decision the base should support and get behind, because ultimately, he's preventing a conflict that very well could have happened if the supreme leader instructed Iran to create a nuclear weapon," an official said. The Moment Trump Took The Call? According to top US government officials, there was no specific moment when Trump decided to bite the bullet. A senior official said the decision was based on "a feeling" as the President realised diplomacy would not lead to an acceptable outcome. JD Vance endorsed this. During a Meet The Press interaction, the US Vice President was asked when exactly Trump made the decision. "I don't know that any of us knew exactly when the President made the decision, except for the President himself," he replied. When the reporter persisted, Vance said he thinks that Trump "over time decided this was necessary". "But of course, he had the ability to call off this attack until the very last minute. He obviously decided to proceed."
Mint
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
‘Private ultimatums to Iranians': JD Vance says Trump made decision minutes before bombs were dropped on nuke sites
US Vice President JD Vance reportedly said that US President Donald Trump made the final decision to launch strikes on Iranian nuclear sites 'minutes before the bombs dropped.' During an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" with Kristen Welker, JD Vanvce said Trump "had the ability to call off this attack until the very last minute" and decided to proceed. On the question whether Trump coordinated with Israel on his decision to attack Iran, JD vance said Trump decided to issue some "private ultimatums to the Iranians" as he decided by "midday that this process was not going eventually we decided to destroy the Fordow nuclear facility and other facilities ourselves." According to a timeline provided by the US Joint Chiefs of Staff as reported by CNN, massive "bunker buster" bombs were dropped on two of the nuclear sites around 6:40 pm ET Saturday in the US, placing the time of the attack around 2:10 a.m. local time Sunday in Iran. Trump had been deliberating for days about US involvement and directed his press secretary to offer a two-week timeline from the briefing room in recent days. But he had been leaning toward joining Israel's military campaign in private discussions with senior staff as his envoy Steve Witkoff was still making diplomatic efforts, CNN reported. "President Donald Trump made the final order for the US to strike Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday," CNN reported, quoting a senior White House official. 'Trump made the final call on Saturday and directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to go ahead,' this official said. The US is now closely watching whether Iran attacks American troops or continues its nuclear weapons program, Vance said, calling the current situation "a very delicate moment," as reported by CNN. He noted that Iran's next steps would become clear within the next 24 hours. So far, the US has "received some indirect messages from the Iranians," Vance said. Earlier on Sunday, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said that "both public and private messages are being directly delivered to the Iranians in multiple channels." Asked about what would happen if Iran takes steps to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, Vance said that action "would be suicidal" and would "destroy their own economy," CNN reported. Reiterating the administration's stance, Vance said the US has "no interest in boots on the ground" and dismissed concerns that the US involvement would escalate. Addressing local concerns in an interview that aired on Sunday, VP Vance said, 'The president, more than anybody, is worried about protracted military conflicts. That is not what we're getting ourselves involved in.'
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
When did Trump decide to strike Iran? Minutes before bomb dropped, reveals Vance
US vice-president JD Vance on Sunday revealed that Donald Trump authorised a strike on 3 key nuclear installations in Iran just minutes before the operation was set to commence. During an appearance on NBC, Vance said that the US President made the final call to attack Iran "minutes before the bomb dropped". US President Donald Trump in the Situation Room of the White House in Washington, DC during military's strike on Iran.(AFP) Speaking with host Kristen Welker, Vance said that Trump had the ability to abort the mission until the very last moment, but 'he decided to proceed." The strike, involving 'bunker buster' bombs, targeted three nuclear sites in Iran and took place on Sunday. The timeline was confirmed by the US Joint Chiefs of Staff during a press briefing. Track live updates on Israel-Iran war here Why US stepped in After days of intense deliberation, the president's decision followed mounting internal and external pressures. Trump had previously directed his press secretary to present a two-week deliberation window, while continuing private discussions leaning toward US involvement in Israel's military campaign. The final go-ahead was reportedly given to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after ongoing diplomatic efforts, led by US envoy Steve Witkoff, failed to produce a breakthrough. Also read - Operation Midnight Hammer timeline: Here's how US carried out 18-hour-long mission against Iran 'This is a very delicate moment,' Vance said, noting that the White House is closely monitoring Iran's next moves - including whether it will retaliate against US forces or persist in its nuclear ambitions. According to Vance, the situation remains fluid, with Iran's intentions expected to become clearer within 24 hours. Despite no official response from Tehran, the US has received 'indirect messages' from the Iranian government. Defense Secretary Hegseth stated Sunday that both public and private communications have been conveyed through multiple channels. Addressing concerns about a potential escalation in the Gulf, Vance warned that any Iranian attempt to disrupt shipping through the vital Strait of Hormuz would be 'suicidal' and 'destroy their own economy.' Vance also dismissed speculation of an extended military campaign. 'The president, more than anybody, is worried about protracted military conflicts,' he said. 'What we're involved in is a very targeted effort to eliminate the Iranian nuclear program.'
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump's pick for chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff backs military aid to Ukraine
General Dan Caine, President Trump's nominee for the next chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, has expressed support for further military assistance to Ukraine but stressed the need for Europe to increase its share of support. Source: Caine in his responses to a US Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on 1 April, as reported by European Pravda Details: In his assessment of the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine, Caine argued that the hostilities will continue in 2025, as Russia "views the conflict is in its favour". "The conflict [war] in 2025 likely will continue to be a war of attrition, with both sides suffering heavy losses of personnel and materiel," the general said. Regarding military assistance, Caine stressed that Ukraine has the right to self-defence, and from this perspective, US aid "helps Ukraine to defend itself". "The United States is only a part of the network of states supporting Ukraine's defence, and we should focus on what unique capabilities only the US can provide, while Europe increases its share of support," he said. For reference: Caine, 56, is a former F-16 fighter pilot who served in Iraq with special operations forces and previously held the position of associate director for military affairs at the CIA. General Charles Brown, the previous chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was dismissed by US President Donald Trump in February. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
South China Morning Post
24-02-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Photo suggesting US major general joined Taiwanese tabletop drills triggers debate
The revelation that a US Indo-Pacific Command major general may have attended a meeting on preparations for Taiwan 's biggest annual military exercise has sparked public debate on the island. Advertisement Some saw this as a milestone in long-standing US-Taiwan military ties, while others warned that it risked undermining mutual trust over keeping high-level military exchanges discreet. The row was triggered by reports that Major General Jay Bargeron, director of strategic planning and policy at the US Indo-Pacific Command, attended a tabletop exercise in Taipei on Friday – ahead of the 41st Han Kuang exercise this summer. A photo released by the Taiwanese military appeared to show Bargeron seated to the left of Taiwanese Defence Minister Wellington Koo Li-hsiung. Bargeron led a US delegation to mainland China three months ago for operational safety talks. Advertisement Although the person concerned was not visible in the Taiwanese photo, a name tag next to Koo bore the title 'J5 Maj General', indicating that it was Bargeron. The J5 department of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff involves strategy, plans and policy.
