Trump discusses with administration expanding scale of strikes on Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump discussed with key members of his administration the possibility of expanding the scale of combat operations against Iran in order to force Tehran to yield to Washington's demands.

This was reported by the Axios portal, citing sources.

As noted in the publication, Trump held a meeting on this issue in the White House Situation Room on July 14. They discussed conducting an operation in Iran "broader in scale than the strikes currently being carried out by U.S. forces in the area of the Strait of Hormuz." "Trump appears ready for escalation in the war in order to inflict damage on the Iranian regime sufficient for it to open the Strait of Hormuz and yield to his demands regarding the nuclear sphere," the material emphasizes.

According to the portal, the meeting was attended by U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and others. The possibility of delivering "devastating strikes on strategic targets in Iran in addition to strikes on Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz" was discussed.

Trump earlier said in an interview with Fox News that the United States is ready to destroy all Iranian bridges and power plants if Tehran does not agree to negotiations. He emphasized that such strikes could be carried out next week. Trump previously noted that the United States could also strike Iran's desalination plants if deemed necessary.

Source: TASS