US National Security Adviser Presents Options for Possible Attack on Iranian Nuclear Sites
The White House’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, presented President Biden with options for a potential US attack on Iranian nuclear sites, should Iran be on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon by January 20, according to three sources familiar with the matter, speaking to Axios.
During a meeting, which took place a few weeks ago and was previously undisclosed, Biden did not give the green light for an attack and has not done so since, the sources said.
During the meeting, which took place about a month ago, Biden and his national security team discussed various options and scenarios, but the president did not make a final decision, the sources said.
A US official stated that the meeting at the White House was not triggered by new intelligence information and did not lead to a yes or no decision by Biden. Instead, it was part of a discussion on “prudent scenario planning” about how the US would react if Iran takes steps like enriching uranium to 90% purity before January 20.
According to Axios, some of Biden’s advisors, including Sullivan, believe that weakening Iran’s air defenses and missile capabilities, as well as significantly weakening its regional proxies, would improve the chances of a successful strike and reduce the risk of Iranian retaliation and regional escalation.
Even if Iran were to decide to build a bomb, it would need to develop a nuclear core, which Israeli intelligence estimates would take at least a year.
Israel’s attack on the Iranian military complex in Parchin in late October is believed to have destroyed high-tech equipment that dated back to the time before the end of Iran’s nuclear program in 2003 and, according to the Western narrative, would have been necessary for the development and testing of a nuclear warhead.