Latest news with #USOfficial
The Guardian
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Trump denies report that he has approved US attack plans against Iran
Donald Trump has denied a report in the Wall Street Journal that he has approved US plans to attack Iran, saying that the news outlet has 'no idea' what his thinking is concerning the Israel-Iran conflict The Journal reported late on Wednesday that Trump told senior aides a day earlier that he had approved attack plans but was delaying on giving the final order to see if Tehran would abandon its nuclear program. The report cited three anonymous officials. On Thursday, Trump responded to the report, posting on Truth Social: 'The Wall Street Journal has No Idea what my thoughts are concerning Iran!' But Trump's decision is dependent on whether the Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) would destroy the Fordow uranium enrichment site, a US official told Axios. Fordow, which is built into a mountain south of Tehran, is a target of Israel's, but they lack the 'bunker-buster bombs' and aircraft needed to destroy it; the US has access to both. 'We're going to be ready to strike Iran. We're not convinced yet that we're necessary. And we want to be unnecessary, but I think the president's just not convinced we are needed yet,' a US official told the outlet. A day earlier, on Wednesday, Trump told reporters: 'I have ideas on what to do but I haven't made a final – I like to make the final decision one second before it's due. 'I may do it, I may not do it,' he added, referring to direct involvement. 'The next week is going to be very big, maybe less than a week.' Iran's mission to the UN issued a statement saying: 'Iran does NOT negotiate under duress, shall NOT accept peace under duress, and certainly NOT with a has-been warmonger clinging to relevance.' Uncertainty around direct US involvement in the conflict comes as the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, called Trump 'a great friend of Israel' and thanked him 'for standing by us'. The Pentagon has sent multiple warships to the Middle East, including three navy destroyers and two carrier strike groups, while the state department has ramped up assistance to US citizens advised to leave the region. Trump's denial of the Journal's report comes as a heated split in the Make America great again coalition over support for a strike on Iran appeared to be cooling. Both the former Fox primetime host Tucker Carlson and former White House political strategist Steve Bannon had expressed concern that another Middle East military engagement in Iran would run counter to Maga's 'America First' policies. Bannon said on Wednesday that Trump could win over Maga doubters if he made the case for Iran engagement directly to the American people. Trump also said that Carlson called him to apologize for saying that he 'is complicit in an act of war'. 'Tucker's a nice guy. He called and apologized the other day because he thought he said things that were a little bit too strong and I appreciated that,' Trump said on Wednesday from the White House.
LBCI
2 days ago
- Politics
- LBCI
US official tells WSJ: Israel faces missile interceptor shortage amid Iran strikes
The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing an unnamed U.S. official, that Israel is facing a shortage of Arrow interceptor missiles, raising concerns about its ability to defend against long-range ballistic missiles from Iran. Reuters has not yet been able to verify the report independently. Reuters
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israel Is Running Low on Defensive Interceptors, Official Says
Israel is running low on Arrow interceptors that are used to counter Iranian missiles, according to a U.S. official. WSJ's Shelby Holliday explains the Arrow's key role in Israel's layered defense. Israel is running low on defensive Arrow interceptors, according to a U.S. official, raising concern about the country's ability to counter long-range ballistic missiles from Iran if the conflict isn't resolved soon.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, US official tells AP
WASHINGTON (AP) — Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to kill Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, US official tells AP.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israeli military says latest missiles from Iran incoming as explosions heard
The latest US-Iran talks on Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme will not take place, mediator Oman said on Saturday, as Iran launched another missile barrage a day after Israel's blistering attack on Iranian nuclear and military sites. Both Israel's military and Iran state television announced the latest round of missiles as explosions were heard overhead in parts of Israel, including Tel Aviv. Israel's military quickly noted that it was currently striking 'military targets' in Tehran. Jordan said it has closed its airspace. Israel's ongoing 'widespread strikes' in Tehran and elsewhere have left Iran's surviving leadership with the difficult decision of whether to plunge deeper into conflict with Israel's more powerful forces or seek a diplomatic route. Oman's foreign minister, Badr al-Busaidi, said on social media the sixth round of indirect nuclear talks on Sunday 'will not now take place', adding that 'diplomacy and dialogue remain the only pathway to lasting peace'. Although the talks are off for now, 'we remain committed to talks and hope the Iranians will come to the table soon', said a senior US official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss diplomacy. Israel and Iran signalled more attacks are coming, despite urgent calls from world leaders to deescalate and avoid all-out war. The attack on nuclear sites set a 'dangerous precedent', China's foreign minister said. The region is already on edge as Israel makes a new push to eliminate the Iranian-backed militant group Hamas in Gaza after 20 months of fighting.
