WASHINGTON, USA — Former U.S. President Donald Trump has approved military plans to strike Iran but has not yet issued a final order to initiate the attack, according to senior intelligence sources cited by CBS News.
The news comes amid an intensifying crisis between Israel and Iran, and a growing American military presence in the region.
The proposed target, according to reports, is Iran’s underground uranium enrichment facility in Fordo — a highly fortified site central to the country’s nuclear programme.
Trump reportedly delayed authorising the strike in hopes that Tehran might still agree to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
When asked about U.S. involvement on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, Trump responded ambiguously: “I may do it, I may not do it,” before adding, “Unconditional surrender – that means I’ve had it.”
In a nationally broadcast speech, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei firmly rejected Trump’s demand for unconditional surrender, warning that any U.S. military intervention would come at a high cost.
“The Iranian nation will not surrender,” Khamenei said.
“Any U.S. military intervention will be costly.”
Iran’s mission to the United Nations later issued a scathing rebuke of Trump’s comments, posting on X (formerly Twitter): “Iran does NOT negotiate under duress… and certainly NOT with a has-been warmonger clinging to relevance.”
The post added: “The only thing more despicable than his lies is his cowardly threat to ‘take out’ Iran’s supreme leader.”
The war of words follows days of escalating violence. Israel has launched multiple airstrikes on Iran, targeting missile sites and nuclear facilities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a video message on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, declared that Israeli forces were “progressing step by step” in degrading Iran’s military capabilities.
“We control the skies over Tehran,” Netanyahu said.
“We are striking with tremendous force… hitting the nuclear sites, the missiles, the headquarters, the symbols of the regime.”
Iran has retaliated with a barrage of nearly 400 missiles fired into Israeli territory.
While Israeli authorities report 24 civilian deaths, Iranian officials say at least 585 people have been killed in Israel’s strikes, including 239 civilians, according to U.S.-based group Human Rights Activists.
The United States has significantly ramped up its military posture in the Middle East.
A carrier strike group led by the USS Nimitz is en route to the Gulf to join the USS Carl Vinson.
Flight tracking data also indicates the deployment of aerial refuelling tankers and F-22 and F-35 fighter jets.
Trump’s Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, assured a Senate committee that the Pentagon is prepared to execute any presidential order.
“The military is ready,” he said during testimony.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Washington on Thursday, June 19, 2025.
Discussions are expected to focus heavily on Iran.
Despite the escalation, the BBC reports that the U.S. has not yet made a formal request to use British military bases in Diego Garcia or Cyprus.
A British official said, “All options remain on the table,” but clarified that Washington’s intentions remain unclear.
As the conflict intensifies, thousands of Iranians are reportedly fleeing Tehran in fear of further Israeli attacks.
In Israel, the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem has issued evacuation guidance for American citizens, though it is unclear how many will seek to leave or if the U.S. military will assist with evacuation flights.
On the domestic front, Iranian state TV warned citizens on Wednesday of foreign hacking after an unauthorised video urging the public to “rise up” briefly aired.
The broadcast, reportedly the result of a cyberattack, accused Iran’s leadership of “failing its people” and played clips from the 2022 anti-government protests.
“If you notice irrelevant messages while watching TV, it is due to the enemy jamming satellite signals,” Iranian state media said.
