WASHINGTON: The Trump Iran war began on Feb. 28 despite intelligence assessments warning that an assault could trigger US casualties, Iranian retaliation and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Days before the attack, President Donald Trump summoned then-Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to the Oval Office, according to people familiar with the meeting.
Gabbard told Trump that killing Iran’s supreme leader could produce a more hard-line government willing to pursue nuclear weapons, the Journal reported. She also warned that Tehran could close the Strait of Hormuz and attack US forces and partners across the Middle East.
Senior military officials separately warned about casualties, ammunition stocks and readiness pressures on US forces.
However, Trump approved military action after Pentagon officials presented options they described as capable of crippling Iranian forces.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine and US Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper briefed Trump on plans targeting missile launchers, radar systems, weapons facilities, mine sites and warships, according to the Journal.
Read: US Iran Sanctions Loom as Tehran Threatens Oil Retaliation
Vice President JD Vance had urged a more cautious path. Officials said Vance argued that Washington should first test whether sanctions and negotiations could produce a nuclear agreement.
The war has continued for nearly six months despite Trump’s initial expectation that it could end within six weeks.
About 3,000 Iranians and 18 US service members have died in combat-related operations. The Pentagon also reported 756 wounded American personnel. Iran subsequently closed the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting a route that carries about one-fifth of global oil and gas trade.
Read: US Iran War Support Falls to 31% as Trump Approval Stays at 33%
Trump later backed an interim agreement on June 17 that called for reopening the waterway and beginning 60 days of nuclear negotiations. Those talks ended on Aug. 17 without a final settlement.
The administration has since shifted toward economic pressure. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Aug. 20 that the government planned a campaign called “Operation Economic Outcast” to increase pressure on Tehran.
White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales told the Journal that Trump had severely damaged Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure and would not allow Tehran to obtain a nuclear weapon.
