US President Donald Trump has reportedly approved military strike plans against Iran but has withheld the final order to launch an attack, multiple sources told CBS, ABC News, and the Wall Street Journal. The possible US military action, aimed at pressuring Tehran to abandon its nuclear programme, could involve targeting Iran’s Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, a highly fortified underground facility, using a bunker-buster bomb for the first time.
According to senior intelligence officials quoted by CBS, Trump has refrained from initiating the strikes to leave room for a diplomatic breakthrough. The potential target, Fordow, is buried deep beneath a mountain and is believed to be largely immune to conventional strikes. Military planners have proposed the use of the U.S.’s most powerful earth-penetrating bomb, marking what would be the first operational deployment of the weapon.
🇺🇸 3 US Navy Fleets (5,6 and 7) moving towards Mid east . pic.twitter.com/OlIPFA4IHh
— ConflictX (@ConflictXtweets) June 18, 2025
Trump Signals Imminence as Military Buildup Targets Iran’s Fordow Facility
Trump’s consideration of the strike comes amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran. While Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected calls for unconditional surrender on Wednesday, Trump reiterated that his patience was running thin, stating, “I may do it, I may not do it.” He added ominously, “The next week is going to be very big, maybe less than a week.”
In response to the rising tensions, the U.S. military has been building up its presence in the region. A third Navy destroyer entered the eastern Mediterranean Sea, and a second aircraft carrier strike group is moving toward the Arabian Sea. The Pentagon has described these deployments as defensive, though they provide strategic positioning for the strike.
The Fordow facility is reportedly viewed by Trump and his advisers as a central target. Sources told ABC News that Trump is becoming increasingly comfortable with the idea of striking the site. Any operation on Fordow would involve multiple waves of attacks to ensure success. There is now an active movement within U.S. military and intelligence circles to prepare for such a strike.
The B-2 can drop the equivalent of 5 Ford F-350s onto a target.
The bomb shown here is a GBU 57 bunker buster weighing in at a robust 30,000lbs.
Not something you want to be on the wrong side of.pic.twitter.com/NnUFV8VVKE
— 🐺 (@LeighWolf) June 17, 2025
Heated Situation Room Talks as Trump Mulls Iran Strike Amid Diplomatic Stalemate
Trump’s consideration of military action has developed over several high-level meetings. On Tuesday, he met with top advisers in the White House Situation Room, where he reviewed attack plans and approved them in principle. However, he emphasized that no final decision had been made and said he was still open to negotiations if Iran showed willingness to end its nuclear activities.
By Wednesday, Trump was again meeting national security advisers in the Situation Room amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. During this second round of deliberations, Trump maintained his stance that while the strike plans are approved, execution depends on Iran’s diplomatic posture. His demand for unconditional surrender appears to have stalled nuclear talks, with no response forthcoming from Tehran.
🚨🇮🇱🇮🇷 The Current situation in Tehran right now—a massive Israeli airstrike by IAF —In retaliation to Iran's attacks on Israeli civilians.#IranIsraelConflict #IranIsraelWar #IsraelIranConflict #IsraelIranWar#Iran and #Israel #War #Israeli#Iranian #Tehran #IranVsIsrael pic.twitter.com/iEJztB0H8y
— WORLD NEWS ANALYST (@TIgerNS3) June 18, 2025
In public comments, Trump continues to maintain ambiguity. When asked directly about striking Iran’s nuclear facilities, he repeated, “I may do it, I may not do it.” Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that “all options remain on the table.” If carried out, the strike on Fordow would represent a major escalation and the first-ever live use of America’s most formidable bunker-buster bomb.
