Trump Weighs Military Options Against Iran: Orders Swift Plans to Avoid Prolonged Conflict

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on January 30 (local time) that U.S. President Donald Trump, who is reviewing military options against Iran, has ordered the preparation of swift and decisive attack plans.

According to the WSJ, the Trump administration is discussing a range of military objectives, including strikes on Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missile arsenals, as well as the potential collapse of the regime, now that sufficient military assets have been deployed in the Middle East near Iran.

U.S. government officials stated that President Trump has requested swift and decisive options that would avoid a prolonged conflict in the Middle East. Discussions are reportedly underway on delivering a powerful blow that would force the Iranian regime to abandon its nuclear program and cease its crackdown on dissidents. Officials also mentioned debates over a retaliatory airstrike operation strong enough to potentially overthrow the Iranian government.

President Trump was reportedly briefed recently on attack options prepared jointly by the White House and the Department of Defense. Among these options, officials noted the so-called "big plan," which involves large-scale airstrikes targeting Iran's leadership and Revolutionary Guard facilities.

As more limited options, plans to strike symbolic targets of the Iranian regime are reportedly under discussion. The WSJ explained that this approach leaves room for escalation if Iran refuses to accept President Trump's conditions, allowing the intensity of attacks to be increased over time.

Eliminating Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is considered a highly challenging operation, as Tehran, the Iranian capital, is deep inland and the regime is extremely thorough in protecting its top leadership. Furthermore, even if Khamenei were ousted, there is no guarantee that the succeeding government would be friendly toward the United States.

If Khamenei is removed, there is a high likelihood that a senior official from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) would seize power, and many believe that the hardline stance against the United States would either be maintained or become even more aggressive.