Axios reported Friday that President Biden reviewed potential military options against Iran’s nuclear program during a recent meeting with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
The White House hasn’t commented on the specifics of these options, but Biden has yet to authorize any strikes.
While Biden has pledged to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, the threshold for military action remains unclear, especially given Iran’s reported progress in its nuclear program.
Biden considered various scenarios and responses during the meeting, but sources say he hasn’t made any decisions.
Another source indicated that there are currently no active discussions on military action against Iran.
Biden previously cautioned Israel against attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities amid heightened tensions last year.
However, some presidential advisors reportedly believe the U.S. should consider a strike, citing Iran’s accelerated nuclear program and weakened state following recent setbacks.
Sources told Axios that Sullivan presented scenarios to Biden without recommending a specific course of action.
Sullivan and other aides reportedly assessed that Iran’s weakened air defenses, missile capabilities, and proxy forces could increase the chance of a successful strike and reduce the risk of retaliation.
Biden reportedly focused on the urgency of the situation and whether Iran had taken actions warranting a potentially conflict-inducing strike before a new administration takes office.
“You can look at the public statements of Iranian officials, which have changed in the last few months as they have been dealt these strategic blows, to raise the question: Do we have to change our doctrine at some point? The fact that that’s coming out publicly is something that has to be looked at extremely carefully,” Sullivan stated in remarks made a week before Christmas.
He also noted that Iran’s recent setbacks could inadvertently accelerate its nuclear weapons development.
“It generates choices for that adversary that can be quite dangerous, and that’s something we have to remain extremely vigilant about as we go forward,” Sullivan added.