Biden Saved Iran from Imminent Doom
World
US President Joe Biden's national security team presented him with options for a potential attack on Iran's nuclear facilities in case Tehran takes steps to develop nuclear weapons by January 20, but the president did not approve of the strike, Axios reports, citing reliable sources.
The meeting with Biden’s national security team, led by advisor Jake Sullivan, took place around a month ago. Some of Biden's aides, including Sullivan himself, expressed the view that weakening Iran’s air defense and missile capabilities, along with its proxy forces, would increase the chances of a successful strike and reduce the risk of retaliation and regional escalation. According to the sources, Biden did not approve the strike during or after the meeting.
Axios notes that a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities during the transition period would have been a "huge gamble" for the president, who, on one hand, promised not to allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons but, on the other hand, would have handed over the conflict to the new administration.
Axios emphasizes that Iran’s nuclear program “significantly advanced” during Biden’s term. At the end of December 2023, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran had accelerated the production of uranium enriched to 60% (90% and higher enriched uranium is required to produce nuclear weapons). At that time, Jake Sullivan noted that the damage inflicted over the past year on Iran and its supporting armed groups could push Tehran to develop nuclear weapons.
In the spring of 2024, Biden’s administration sent Iran a private warning expressing "serious concern" about its nuclear research. Iran, however, denies its intention to develop nuclear weapons.
President-elect Donald Trump, on the other hand, has a completely different perspective. According to The Wall Street Journal, he is considering the possibility of preemptive airstrikes on Iranian facilities to hinder Iran's nuclear program. Trump’s team is exploring two options: one involving increased military pressure on Iran and support for Israel, which could carry out strikes, and the other involving a threat of military force combined with tough financial sanctions. Discussions are still ongoing.
Axios notes that a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities during the transition period would have been a "huge gamble" for the president, who, on one hand, promised not to allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons but, on the other hand, would have handed over the conflict to the new administration.
Axios emphasizes that Iran’s nuclear program “significantly advanced” during Biden’s term. At the end of December 2023, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran had accelerated the production of uranium enriched to 60% (90% and higher enriched uranium is required to produce nuclear weapons). At that time, Jake Sullivan noted that the damage inflicted over the past year on Iran and its supporting armed groups could push Tehran to develop nuclear weapons.
In the spring of 2024, Biden’s administration sent Iran a private warning expressing "serious concern" about its nuclear research. Iran, however, denies its intention to develop nuclear weapons.
President-elect Donald Trump, on the other hand, has a completely different perspective. According to The Wall Street Journal, he is considering the possibility of preemptive airstrikes on Iranian facilities to hinder Iran's nuclear program. Trump’s team is exploring two options: one involving increased military pressure on Iran and support for Israel, which could carry out strikes, and the other involving a threat of military force combined with tough financial sanctions. Discussions are still ongoing.
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