Fact Check: "Trump has approved plans to attack Iran but hasn't decided to execute them."
What We Know
Recent reports indicate that former President Donald Trump has indeed approved military plans to attack Iran, although he has not yet made a final decision on whether to execute these plans. According to a BBC report, Trump has authorized potential strikes, particularly targeting Iran's underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordo. This information was corroborated by CBS, which is the BBC's US partner. The report also notes that Trump is holding off on any military action to see if Iran might agree to abandon its nuclear program.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump expressed skepticism about media reports regarding his intentions, specifically calling out the Wall Street Journal for allegedly misunderstanding his thoughts on Iran. However, he did not deny that plans had been approved. The situation escalated following a rejection by Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, of Trump's demands for surrender, which has led to increased speculation about U.S. military involvement in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
Analysis
The claim that Trump has approved plans to attack Iran but has not made a final decision is supported by multiple credible sources. The New York Times reported that Trump has indicated he may or may not order strikes against Iran's nuclear sites, emphasizing his tendency to delay decisions until the last moment. This aligns with the Washington Post, which highlighted concerns among Senate Democrats regarding Trump's potential unilateral military action without congressional authorization.
Furthermore, Reuters confirmed that Trump had communicated to senior aides his approval of attack plans while simultaneously holding off on issuing a final order. This pattern of behavior—approving plans but delaying execution—is consistent with Trump's known decision-making style, which often involves keeping options open until the last possible moment.
The sources cited are reputable news organizations with a history of accurate reporting, which adds to their reliability. However, it is worth noting that the situation is fluid, and the political landscape can change rapidly, which may affect the accuracy of ongoing reports.
Conclusion
The claim that "Trump has approved plans to attack Iran but hasn't decided to execute them" is True. Multiple credible sources confirm that Trump has authorized military plans while refraining from making a definitive decision on their execution, largely due to the ongoing diplomatic considerations regarding Iran's nuclear program.
