U.S. President Donald Trump convened a high-stakes meeting with the National Security Council on Tuesday to deliberate Washington's potential involvement in the escalating Israel-Iran crisis, the White House confirmed. The discussions centered on whether to support Israel's ongoing air campaign against Tehran, amid heightened regional tensions.
High-Stakes Discussions
The 80-minute meeting in the White House Situation Room followed Trump's public remarks demanding Iran's "unconditional" surrender and his assertion that the U.S. would refrain from targeting Iran's Supreme Leader "for now." U.S. officials emphasized that "all options remain on the table," while maintaining Washington has not yet directly participated in military operations.
Military Options on the Table
Analysts suggest the most likely U.S. intervention could involve deploying massive "bunker-buster" bombs to target Iran's Fordow nuclear facility, a deeply buried site reportedly beyond Israel's current strike capabilities. The New York Times also reported potential plans to authorize U.S. tanker aircraft to refuel Israeli jets, enabling extended-range missions.
"Dismantling Iran's nuclear program remains the administration's top priority," a senior official stated, underscoring the strategic focus of the talks. The developments come as cross-border hostilities between Israel and Iran entered their fifth consecutive day, marking one of the most severe escalations in recent years.
