President Donald Trump has established strict parameters for any potential US military engagement in Iran, informing his national security council that operations must produce a rapid and conclusive result, NBC News reported Thursday. Sources told the outlet that the president explicitly rejected the prospect of a prolonged conflict. "If he does something, he wants it to be definitive," a source familiar with the strategy told NBC News.
Despite the president's demands, NBC News reported that advisers have not guaranteed a swift collapse of the Iranian leadership following a strike. Furthermore, officials expressed concern to the outlet regarding the sufficiency of regional assets to withstand an aggressive response. Consequently, the president may consider limited initial strikes while maintaining escalation dominance, according to NBC News. During a visit to Detroit, Trump told protesters "help is on its way" and termed the situation "fragile."
The White House pointed NBC News to the president's Oval Office remarks when asked for clarification. Trump told reporters he received intelligence that lethal crackdowns had ceased. "We have been informed by very important sources on the other side, and they said the killing has stopped and the executions won't take place," he said, according to NBC News. He added a caveat: "I hope it's true. Who knows?" Regarding military action, he stated: "We're going to watch and see what the process is," as reported by NBC News.
Sources confirmed to NBC News that the president remains willing to use military force to support the opposition. On Tuesday, the Defense Department tailored options to meet the president's specific objectives, NBC News reported. A White House official told the outlet: "All options are at President Trump's disposal to address the situation in Iran," asserting that "he means what he says." Vice President JD Vance led a Tuesday meeting on the crisis, where the president requested updated casualty data, according to NBC News.
US Central Command has updated its contingency plans, NBC News reported. Following high-level strategy sessions, officials worry that a desperate regime could lash out at US forces and allies like Israel. During Operation Midnight Hammer in June, the US received advance warning of Iranian retaliation in Qatar. Hundreds of troops evacuated Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar for safer locations as a precaution.
In an exclusive interview with Reuters, the president discussed the potential collapse of the clerical rule. While acknowledging the high death toll, he expressed reservations about Pahlavi, the son of the late shah. "He seems very nice, but I don't know how he'd play within his own country," Trump told Reuters. "And we really aren't up to that point yet." He continued: "I don't know whether or not his country would accept his leadership, and certainly if they would, that would be fine with me."
Reuters observed that the opposition remains fractured. The president admitted to the outlet that "any regime can fail." "Whether or not it falls or not, it's going to be an interesting period of time," he said, according to Reuters.
