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The United States finds itself once again at a strategic crossroads regarding Iran. After weeks of escalating tension and a significant military buildup in the region, the White House is considering military alternatives if a verifiable agreement to limit Iran's nuclear program and missile capabilities is not reached.
According to an analysis published this Saturday by The Atlantic, the Pentagon has developed several options that have already been presented to the president. President Donald Trump confirmed to the press that he is "considering" a limited attack, although he avoided specifying timelines or concrete conditions for a possible decision.
According to the report, Washington is considering at least four potential courses of action, each with different military and geopolitical implications.
The first option would be a selective attack against the Iranian leadership, potentially including the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Jamenei.
This scenario would require the prior neutralization of the country's air defenses and the use of precision weaponry. Analysts warn that such an action could provoke an immediate response from Tehran and trigger a regional escalation.
A second alternative aims to weaken Iran's ballistic missile program. The attacks would target production centers, storage facilities, and logistical infrastructure related to the development and transportation of missiles.
Although it could temporarily reduce Iran's offensive capability, experts indicate that the country could rebuild these facilities within a matter of months if a broader political agreement is not reached.
The third scenario would focus on Iranian nuclear facilities, many of which are located in underground complexes. In this case, the United States could resort to strategic bombers and munitions designed to penetrate reinforced structures.
Trump has reiterated on several occasions that he will not allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons, marking this issue as a red line for his administration. However, previous attacks have only succeeded in delaying the progress of the program, without completely eliminating it.
The fourth option would be a prolonged campaign against bases of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and other military installations deemed strategic targets. This approach would aim to reduce the regional operational capacity of Iran and its allies without necessarily involving total war.
The current U.S. military deployment in the area—featuring over a hundred aircraft and carrier groups—could serve both as a tool of diplomatic pressure and as a precursor to direct action.
The visibility of these movements sends a clear message to Tehran about Washington's willingness to act if an acceptable agreement is not reached.
Unlike the invasion of Iraq in 2003, there are currently no plans for a massive deployment of ground troops.
The scope of action appears to focus on limited aerial and naval operations, while the White House assesses whether there is still room for diplomacy or if it is time to transition to a more aggressive phase.
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