According to The New York Times, President Donald Trump is navigating a dual strategy regarding Iran, exploring diplomatic avenues while simultaneously weighing military strikes to halt the regime's lethal crackdown on protesters. Defense officials have presented the White House with a broadened set of targeting options, including the country's nuclear infrastructure and ballistic missile sites, US officials told the outlet on Monday.
However, the official indicated to The New York Times that limited responses, such as cyber warfare or precision strikes against the internal security apparatus, are more probable than a full-scale assault. Any operation would require days to prepare and could trigger significant retaliation, the official noted, with the president scheduled for a briefing on Tuesday.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that airstrikes were "one of the many, many options that are on the table," but emphasized that "diplomacy is always the first option for the president." She added that private communications from Tehran differ significantly from their public rhetoric.
"What you're hearing publicly from the Iranian regime is quite different from the messages the administration is receiving privately," she said, "and I think the president has an interest in exploring those messages."
The New York Times reported that Trump hinted on Sunday that Tehran had crossed a red line regarding violence against demonstrators. "There seems to be some people killed who weren't supposed to be killed," he said. "These are violent – you can call them leaders, I don't know if they're leaders. I guess they rule with violence. But we're looking at it very seriously; the military's looking at it. And there's a couple options."
The president also threatened a 25% tariff on "any and all business" conducted with the US by nations trading with Iran. While this could impact China, The New York Times noted that Trump aims to maintain stability with Beijing ahead of an April summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Additionally, Trump has asked Elon Musk to investigate using Starlink to bypass the regime's internet blackout.
In Tehran, officials signaled a cautious willingness to engage. "We are not looking for war, but we are prepared for war – even more prepared than the previous war," Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, referring to the 12-day war in June, according to The New York Times. "We are also ready for negotiations, but negotiations that are fair, with equal rights and mutual respect," he added.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei claimed channels were open with United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, stating, "Iran has never left the negotiating table, but it will not engage in one-sided negotiations." Witkoff did not comment to The New York Times.
Skeptical US officials told The New York Times that Tehran is likely stalling to avert an attack. The scope of potential talks remains vague, though concerns persist over the nuclear program. While the regime insists its intentions are civilian, Western officials fear weaponization. Intelligence cited by the report suggests no decision to build a bomb had been made as of June.
The regime currently faces its most severe domestic crisis in years. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is struggling to contain nationwide protests demanding systemic change. Security forces have used lethal force, killing scores of civilians, according to The New York Times.
"Iran is dangling talks and deals to dissuade Trump from using military force against them," Karim Sadjadpour of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace told the publication. "It's not clear what they would be offering as concessions given the destruction of much of their nuclear program and regional proxies."
Vali Nasr of Johns Hopkins University told The New York Times that the regime is adopting a pragmatic stance to ensure the US prevents Israel from attacking. "Iran's objective is they don't want any war with the United States, and they want the United States to prevent Israel from attacking Iran," he said.
While Israeli officials highlight the missile threat, Nasr noted that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) views the arsenal as essential for deterrence. Trump has warned since Jan. 2 that he would strike if protesters were killed, writing, "We are locked and loaded and ready to go."
The New York Times reported that a new strike could target the Basij (paramilitary volunteer force) militia in Tehran. Officials clarified the goal would be to send a warning rather than topple the government. Ellie Geranmayeh of the European Council on Foreign Relations told the outlet that the regime initially showed restraint but has since intensified its crackdown.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran is now facing an unprecedented bottom-up pressure, as well as a top-down pressure," she said. "Usually they've only had to confront one or the other. And they are masters at survival, by the way."
Leavitt issued a final warning Monday. "The president has shown he's unafraid to use military options if and when he deems necessary," she said, "and nobody knows that better than Iran."
