Local Editor

The White House is said to have asked the Pentagon to draw up options for military strikes against Iran last year.

In further details, the US National Security Council, led by President Donald Trump’s national security advisor John Bolton, is said to have asked for the plans.

The seriousness of his request unnerved officials from state and war departments, according to The Wall Street Journal, citing current and former officials. While planning for the potential future conflict is part of the normal operation for an administration, the tone of the request is said to have caused concern.

The Pentagon reportedly complied with Bolton’s request, though it’s unclear if Trump was aware of it or if a serious plan was developed.

Bolton is an advocate of a hardline policy towards Iran. In a speech at the end of September, Bolton claimed that if Tehran harmed the US or its allies, there would be “hell to pay”.

Trump pulled the US out of an international nuclear deal with Iran in May 2018. The deal had been signed by his predecessor Barack Obama, as well as the leaders of the UK, China, Russia, France, Germany and the European Union in 2015.

Trump also ordered a tough sanctions campaign in the autumn.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team