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In the final weeks of his presidency, Donald Trump has discussed options for a military strike against Iran to stop its burgeoning nuclear program, the New York Times reported in its latest issue. However, key figures in his administration managed to dissuade him by warning that such an attack could escalate into a broader international conflict, BNR reported.
Trump gathered his team in the Oval Office of the White House on Thursday and asked if he could attack Iran’s main nuclear complex in Natanz. This came a day after IAEA international inspectors reported a significant increase in Iran’s nuclear reserves, current and former administration officials said.
Several key people on the presidential team, including Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller and Chairman of the Committee of Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Millie, noted that any attack on Iran, with missiles or cyber attack, could have very dangerous consequences and turn into a major military conflict. However, Trump may continue to seek ways to attack Iranian targets or allies, including against pro-Iranian militias in neighboring Iraq, the same sources said. On Wednesday night, hours before the meeting in the Oval Office, a small group of national security advisers met to discuss how to deal with Iran. The White House has no comment.
According to the New York Times, a blow to Iran could be badly received by Trump-backed voters and could poison relations with Iran, making it much more difficult for President-elect Joe Biden to revive the Iran nuclear deal, just as he himself did. promised. After Trump fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper and other key Pentagon figures last week, ministry and security officials have raised concerns that the president may launch operations, open or covert, against Iran and other opponents in the end. of his mandate. notes the newspaper.
The British Guardian announced from Washington about another Trump intention at the end of his term, which would put the new Biden administration in front of a fait accompli. The president wanted to reduce the US military presence in Afghanistan and Iraq. The forces in Afghanistan would be cut in half from 4,500 to 2,500 and in Iraq from 3,000 to 2,500. This became clear just a week after Trump’s purge of the Pentagon, where he replaced the defense minister and several high-ranking officials with his loyalists. , notes the London newspaper. Critics of Trump’s intentions are quoted as saying that a forced withdrawal could further destabilize the fragile peace deal with the Taliban, lead them to decide that they can take power in Afghanistan and demoralize the Afghan government.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, considered one of Trump’s supporters, also warned that a hasty retreat “would harm our allies and make our villains happy.” Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper was abruptly fired, The Guardian said, after opposing plans for an accelerated withdrawal, saying the Taliban had not yet met the conditions for withdrawal.
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