U.S. Media Reveals Details of Trump's Plan to Expand Military Actions Against Iran
On July 15, Xinhua News Agency reported from Washington that the Wall Street Journal cited informed sources revealing some details of U.S. President Trump's recent discussions with senior aides regarding plans to escalate military actions against Iran. Trump is inclined to expand the scale of military operations against Iran to force it to accept U.S. demands.
The Wall Street Journal reported that on the 14th, Trump held a meeting in the White House Situation Room with Vice President Pence, Secretary of State Rubio, Secretary of Defense Hegseth, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Milley to discuss several possible plans for a large-scale offensive against Iran, including deploying U.S. forces to seize Khark Island and other targets along the Strait of Hormuz, striking Iran's "Mountain of Pickaxes" tunnel complex, and expanding airstrikes against more targets in Iran, including energy facilities.
The report stated that Trump has not made a final decision on the next steps. He has repeatedly claimed in private and public that he prefers to resolve the conflict with Iran through diplomatic means. However, Iran's failure to comply with U.S. demands to surrender its nuclear material stockpile has led Trump to lean towards escalating strikes to force Iran to yield.
The report cited U.S. officials saying that Trump is reluctant to deploy ground troops and has repeatedly retracted hardline statements about seizing Khark Island and controlling Iran's oil industry. The report warned that if U.S. forces conduct ground operations, it would open "the most dangerous phase of U.S.-Iran conflict" and deepen U.S. involvement in the escalating Middle East conflict.
The report suggests that Trump's public discussion of escalating strikes against Iran aims to pressure Iran to return to the negotiating table.
Khark Island is an important oil export hub for Iran. Before the U.S.-Iran conflict, the island was Iran's largest crude oil export base, with 90% of Iran's crude oil exported from here. The "Mountain of Pickaxes" is located near the Natanz nuclear facility in Isfahan Province, central Iran, and is considered one of Iran's most fortified underground nuclear facilities.
Since the 11th, U.S. forces have launched military strikes against Iran for five consecutive days.
On July 14, 2023, President Trump discussed military action plans against Iran with senior officials, considering airstrikes on Hark Island and other strategic locations. The discussions follow Iran's failure to comply with U.S. demands regarding nuclear materials. The U.S. military has been conducting strikes against Iran for five days, indicating a potential escalation in military operations.
- Trump discussed military action plans against Iran with senior staff on July 14, 2023.
- Plans include airstrikes on Hark Island and other targets along the Strait of Hormuz.
- Trump has not made a final decision on military action but is leaning towards escalation.
- U.S. military has conducted strikes against Iran for five consecutive days since July 11, 2023.
- Hark Island is a crucial oil export hub for Iran.