President Trump is considering joining Israel’s multiday effort to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, multiple sources familiar with the matter told CBS News.
One possible target is Fordo, a subterranean uranium enrichment site that’s believed to be key to Iran’s nuclear program, according to the sources, which include a senior intelligence official and a Department of Defense official.
Fordo is buried almost 300 feet beneath a mountain and protected by significant air defenses and is believed to be the most likely location for a hypothetical nuclear weapons “breakout” program. Nuclear non-proliferation experts say that it’s at Fordo where Iran has aimed to enrich uranium for weapons purposes and expand its stockpile of enriched uranium.
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There is not full agreement among Mr. Trump’s closest advisers on how to proceed.
The issue was expected to be discussed in a meeting with Mr. Trump’s national security team in the White House Situation Room earlier Tuesday. Attendees included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Marco Rubio, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and special envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff.
Shortly after launching strikes on Iran early Friday morning, Israel alleged the country is making swift progress toward building nuclear weapons. But earlier this year, a U.S. intelligence assessment said Iran is not building nuclear weapons, but pressure has likely built on the regime to restart its nuclear program.
Iran has dramatically increased its stockpile of near-weapons-grade uranium in recent months, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. The Iranian government has long insisted its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes.
The Trump administration has said publicly and privately that the U.S. is not involved in Israel’s offensive, though CBS News has previously reported the U.S. has helped Israel intercept missiles fired by Iran in retaliation.
Mr. Trump hasn’t ruled out getting involved, and a series of posts on Truth Social earlier Tuesday have raised questions about the U.S.’s level of involvement in the conflict.
The president posted on Tuesday, “We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran.” He also wrote that the U.S knows the whereabouts of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but added, “We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now.” CBS News previously reported that Mr. Trump opposed an Israeli plan to kill Khamenei.
Most recently, Mr. Trump posted, “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”
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