Trump Leans Toward Military Action Against Iran as Diplomatic Hopes Fade

 

President Donald Trump is reportedly shifting toward supporting U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, according to sources familiar with high-level discussions. This change marks a notable departure from his earlier openness to diplomacy, though officials say he is still willing to negotiate—if Iran agrees to significant concessions.

Recent discussions within the Trump administration, which continued through the weekend and into Monday, initially aimed to find a diplomatic solution to reduce tensions. However, by early Tuesday, the president made it clear his patience was running out. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One after an early return from the G7 summit in Canada, Trump stated bluntly, “I’m not too much in the mood to negotiate with Iran,” emphasizing he wanted a definitive resolution, not a temporary ceasefire.

Trump later reinforced this stance on Truth Social, demanding Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” and claiming the U.S. knew the location of Iran’s supreme leader—though he clarified there were no immediate plans to target him directly.

According to officials, plans for sending American envoys to meet Iranian counterparts in a neutral Middle Eastern location have been shelved. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance confirmed via social media that Trump is seriously weighing military options to halt Iran's nuclear enrichment.

The White House was expected to host a critical national security meeting Tuesday, following increasing pressure from Israel, which has been urging the U.S. to join its campaign against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Israeli leaders argue that dismantling Iran’s facilities will likely require U.S. military capabilities.

Until now, Trump had hesitated to involve the U.S. directly in Israel’s military operations, limiting support to missile defense systems and intelligence sharing. But his rhetoric has shifted. In a series of combative posts, Trump declared, “We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran,” lauding American airpower and surveillance capabilities.

He also reiterated that U.S. intelligence had precisely located Iran’s top leadership but again stopped short of threatening direct action—“at least not for now.”

In recent months, the U.S. had engaged regional players such as Oman, Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey to mediate between Washington and Tehran, hoping to revive negotiations. Special envoy Steve Witkoff led those efforts, actively reaching out to regional diplomats. However, by Tuesday morning, Iran's Foreign Ministry told CNN there were no confirmed plans for upcoming talks.

Officials say Israeli communications about potential escalations in the coming days have influenced Trump's increasingly aggressive tone. One notable example: Trump’s Monday directive advising civilians in Tehran to evacuate, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

Whether Trump will ultimately commit to supporting Israel's campaign to eliminate Iran's nuclear capabilities remains uncertain. But insiders confirm that military options are now being seriously considered, particularly if Iran fails to re-engage diplomatically.

In response to concerns from his conservative base, JD Vance acknowledged the growing divide among Republicans. While some warn against deeper foreign entanglements, others—like Sen. Lindsey Graham—are urging Trump to take decisive military action.

Graham, a longstanding hawk on Iran, reportedly told Trump in a private call that the current moment is historic. He encouraged the president to be the one who finally ensures Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon, even if it means deploying U.S. bunker-busting bombs or flying missions alongside Israeli forces.

Trump, sources say, is weighing both sides of the debate. Yet he believes his firm stance on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear arms justifies possible military intervention.

On Tuesday, Trump shared a message from U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who advised the president to listen to divine guidance amid the growing tension: “You have many voices speaking to you, but none more important than the voice from heaven.”

Despite Trump’s claim that Iran is “very close” to developing a nuclear weapon, U.S. intelligence assessments reportedly do not view such a development as imminent. Nevertheless, Trump warned that any attack on American forces in the region would trigger a swift and forceful response.

“We’ll come down so hard, it’d be gloves off,” the president warned.