Trump weighs strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, missile forces; commandos option on table

US officials say President Trump is considering strikes on Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities, alongside potential special forces operations, as the Pentagon reinforces regional defenses.

• Trump weighs military action on Iran's nuclear, missile sites
• US boosts Middle East forces, no final strike decision made
• Diplomacy continues as Pentagon completes regional buildup

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US President Donald Trump is considering military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities and ballistic missile capabilities, including the option of sending American commandos to target specific Iranian military assets, according to three US officials who spoke to New York Times. The deliberations come as the Pentagon accelerates a regional buildup to guard against expected retaliation.

Senior administration officials told New York Times that no final decision has been made. But the options under review reflect an escalation beyond rhetoric, with operational planning underway.

When Trump last month threatened to strike Iran if it did not curb its nuclear program, the Pentagon was not fully positioned to execute or defend such an operation, New York Times reported. US forces in the Middle East were short on air defenses, and key strike aircraft were based in Europe or the United States.

Over the past three weeks, as diplomatic contacts intensified across Israel, Arab states, Iran and the US, the Pentagon has moved to reinforce its footprint. According to New York Times, the buildup includes eight guided missile destroyers capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, land-based missile defense systems and submarines armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln is operating with multiple warships across the Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf, Red Sea and eastern Mediterranean. A second carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, has been ordered to deploy to the Middle East, New York Times reported.

Additional F-15E attack aircraft have been sent to the region, while B-2 bombers and other long-range strike platforms in the US remain on elevated alert, according to a senior US official cited by New York Times.

US officials told New York Times that any potential strike would require strengthened air defenses at bases in Qatar, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan. Iran previously targeted Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in retaliation for American strikes.

Gen. Joseph Votel, former commander of US Central Command, said defensive preparations were essential before any action. “Defensively, we’ve got to make sure, before we do anything” that American defenses are in order, he said, according to New York Times.

Military analysts cited by New York Times noted that indicators of major operations typically include increased aerial refueling tankers and radar-jamming aircraft such as EA-18 Growlers. Growlers are operating from the Lincoln, and some have recently been deployed to Jordan.

Mr. Trump initially linked potential action to support for Iranian demonstrators but has since focused again on Iran’s nuclear program. Iranian officials maintain their nuclear activities are for civilian purposes.

After meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr. Trump said negotiations with Iran should continue. He later told reporters that regime change “would be the best thing that could happen.”

For now, the military options remain under review. According to New York Times, the Pentagon is using the pause to complete its force buildup, even as diplomacy remains in play.