[ad_1]
Donald Trump (74) has been tough on Iran since he took office in January 2017. The president of the United States canceled the 2015 nuclear deal and brought his country to the brink of war with the assassination of elite General Ghassem Soleimani († 62) at the beginning of the year.
Now, according to media reports, Trump wanted to launch another coup against Iran. The president asked senior advisers during a meeting in the Oval Office last week about options for attacking the Middle Eastern country in the near future. This reported the “New York Times” on Monday, citing four current and former US officials.
Therefore, Trump stayed away from a military strike for the time being. Vice President Mike Pence (61), Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (56) and Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher C. Miller (55) have clearly spoken out against such action. They warned Trump that an attack on Iran in the final weeks of his presidency could escalate into a broader conflict.
Security officials concerned about Trump
The meeting in the Oval Office took place on Thursday, according to the New York Times. The day before, international inspectors reported that Iran had significantly increased its stocks of nuclear material in recent weeks. Specifically: According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the supply of uranium in the city of Natanz is now twelve times higher than in 2018, when Trump abandoned the nuclear deal.
For Trump, a military attack on Iran would also be of political importance. Ten days ago he was defeated in the US presidential elections against Joe Biden (77). An attack on Iran would hardly approve of his base, as Trump supporters advocate a withdrawal from the Middle East. On the other hand, a new conflict with Tehran could hamper the democratic government’s efforts around Joe Biden to reinstate the 2015 nuclear deal.
According to the New York Times, Washington is currently concerned about what Trump might do in terms of foreign policy in the final months of his presidency. After Defense Secretary Mark Esper and other senior Pentagon officials were fired, national security officials have privately voiced their concerns. Their fear: Trump could launch covert operations against Iran or other opponents in the winter.
Trump accelerates the pace with the withdrawal of troops
Other plans by the Trump administration were made public Monday. According to media reports, the US president wants to further reduce the number of US troops abroad before his term ends in January. Commanders were preparing for an order to reduce the number of soldiers in Afghanistan from around 4,500 to around 2,500 by January 15, broadcaster CNN reported on Monday, before more outlets followed suit.
The White House referred to the Pentagon upon request. There was also initially no confirmation of the reports. Top Republicans in the United States Congress warned against hasty actions.
Trump is reportedly expected to order more cuts to troops in Iraq. According to CNN, 3,000 US soldiers are still deployed there. Trump had already announced a reduction in troop strength in Iraq from 5,200 to 2,000 men in September. The “New York Times” reported, citing a draft of the order, that nearly all of the more than 700 soldiers stationed in Somalia should leave the country.
