US President Donald Trump has said that the United States is ready to strike Iran, but he has not yet given the final order. According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump told his top aides that he supports the military plan but wants to wait and see if Iran will stop its nuclear programme before taking further action.

One of the main targets being discussed is Iran’s Fordow nuclear enrichment facility. This site is built deep underground, making it difficult to destroy. Experts say that only the most powerful bombs in the US arsenal can reach the facility.

When asked by reporters if he had decided to attack Iran, Trump said, "I may do it; I may not do it." He added, "The next week is going to be very big, maybe less than a week." Trump repeated that Iran must "fully give up its nuclear plans with no conditions."

“No ceasefire, only victory,” says Trump

Trump made it clear that the US is not interested in a ceasefire with Iran. He said that before Israel began striking Iran last week, “Iran was a few weeks away from having a nuclear weapon,” and now he wants “total and complete victory”.

"We're not looking for a ceasefire. We're looking for a total and complete victory," Trump declared. "Again, you know what the victory is: no nuclear weapon."

Speaking about Iran’s heavily protected Fordow facility, Trump said, "We're the only ones that have the capability to do it, but that doesn't mean I'm going to do it—at all," suggesting that while the US has the power, it may still hold back for now.

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has rejected all US demands and warned Washington about serious consequences. He said Iran “would not surrender”.

US sends more military forces to Middle East

In the past few days, the US has moved more military forces to the region. A third Navy destroyer has entered the eastern Mediterranean Sea, and another aircraft carrier is heading to the Arabian Sea. The Pentagon says this is a defensive step, but it also gives the US the ability to join Israel in case it attacks Iran.

Meanwhile, the war is getting worse. A human rights group said that more than 450 people have died in Iran due to recent attacks, while 24 people have died in Israel from Iranian missile strikes.

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