Trump approves Iran strike plan amid escalating tensions, final decision pending

English , Middle East - مشرق وسطٰی , Snippets , / Thursday, June 19th, 2025

Download this post as PDF

rki.news
Washington, D.C. June 19, 2025, Former U.S. President Donald Trump has approved a military plan to strike Iran, but has not yet made a final decision to act, according to CBS News, citing a senior U.S. intelligence source. The potential target is Iran’s underground nuclear site at Fordo, with Trump reportedly waiting to see if Iran abandons its nuclear ambitions.
Tensions have escalated sharply following Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s public rejection of Trump’s demand for “unconditional surrender.” In a stern televised address, Khamenei warned that any U.S. military intervention would be “costly.” Trump responded dismissively, saying, “Good luck,” while refusing to clarify his next move: “Nobody knows what I’m going to do.”
Amid these threats, Iranian civilians are fleeing Tehran following heavy Israeli airstrikes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed his forces are hitting Iranian nuclear and missile targets, saying, “We control the skies over Tehran.”
Iran’s mission to the UN mocked Trump on social media, calling him a “has-been warmonger” and rejecting any negotiations “under duress.” Meanwhile, Pentagon officials confirmed readiness to follow presidential orders, and the USS Nimitz carrier group is en route to the Gulf.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Washington on Thursday, with Iran topping the agenda. The U.S. has not yet requested use of British bases for strikes.
Israeli attacks have reportedly killed 585 Iranians, including civilians and security forces, while Iran’s retaliation has killed 24 Israelis, all civilians, according to official sources.