Trump Privately Approved Iran Attack Plans But Withheld Order: Report

(Photo: IANS)

US President Donald Trump told his senior aides that he approved attack plans on Iran but didn't give the final order, as he wanted to see if Tehran would abandon its nuclear program, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Notably, Trump has said that the US might consider joining Israeli military offensive against Iran, saying, "Nobody knows what I'm going to do."

Earlier, while expressing concern over the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, Trump said he has a plan for everything. 

He also expressed frustration over Iran's decision not to make a deal, saying, "They should have made the deal. I had a great deal for them." 

"I have a plan for everything, but we will see what happens. They should have made the deal. I had a great deal for them," ANI quoted Trump as saying. 

Trump also hinted that decisions may be made at the last moment.

"I have ideas as to what I could do, but they are not final. I like to finalise one second before it's due. Things change. Especially with war," ANI quoted Trump as saying. 

Trump has also said that he was not looking for a long-term war with Iran. 

"We're not looking for long-term war. I only want one thing -- Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. That's it," ANI quoted Trump as saying. 

On being asked about striking Iran, US President Donald Trump said, "I may do it, I may not do it."

"You seriously think I am going to answer that?... I may do it, I may not do it, nobody knows what I'm going to do. I can tell you that Iran has got a lot of troubles and they want to negotiate. Why didn't they negotiate with me 2 weeks ago?" ANI quoted Trump as saying. 

The conflict between Israel and Iran has entered its seventh day.  

At least 24 people have been killed and hundreds injured in Iranian missile attacks, Israeli authorities said. 

In Iran, 585 people have been killed and more than 1,300 wounded in the Israeli assault, reported Anadolu Agency.  

Conflict between Iran and Israel started after Israel launched a preemptive attack on Iran's nuclear and military installations under Operation Rising Lion last. Iran retaliated by launching massive missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory, targeting military and civilian sites.

(With ANI inputs)