US senators to receive classified Iran briefing as conflict escalates

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday the Islamic Republic's collapse is possible, and that he would meet national security advisers imminently to discuss the conflict.

“Sure, anything could happen, right?” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked if Iran’s government might fall.

“We have a plan for everything,” the president added, noting a Situation Room meeting was scheduled within the hour.

Iran was “a few weeks away” from developing a nuclear weapon before Israel launched strikes last week, he said, adding that he now seeks “total and complete victory,” not a ceasefire.

“I’m not looking to fight, but if it’s a choice between fighting and having a nuclear weapon, you have to do what you have to do,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. “Maybe we won’t have to fight.”

Foreign ministers from Germany, France, and Britain will meet their Iranian counterpart in Geneva on Friday for nuclear talks, a German diplomatic source told Reuters.

The ministers will first confer with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas at the German consulate before holding a joint session with Iran’s foreign minister.

The meeting, aimed at addressing concerns over Iran’s nuclear activities, was coordinated with the United States, the source said.

Iranian officials have asked for talks in Washington, US president Donald Trump told reporters on Wednesady.

“They should have made the deal, I had a great deal for them... in the end they decided not to do it, and now they wish they did it”, Trump said.

"Iran was very close to signing what would have been a very good agreement for them. And maybe that could still happen, I guess. They do want to come and see us. They want to see me in the White House. That's a big statement. But it's very late."

Israel is targeting Iran’s missile manufacturing capabilities, according to Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Effie Defrin.

Israeli strikes over the past day hit 60 locations, including centrifuge and anti-tank missile production sites in and around Tehran, he said on Wednesday.

“Our message to them is clear: If you attempt to rebuild your terror capabilities in the region, you will be struck,” Defrin said.

The military is prepared for all contingencies, including the aftermath of a possible strike on Iran, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday.

“We have plans for everything, senator,” Hegseth told Sen. Elissa Slotkin during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, according to the official transcript.

Pressed on whether “day after” force protection or troop deployment plans had been authorized, Hegseth declined to offer details in a public setting.

Tehran had 60 days to accept a deal and understood President Donald Trump’s position clearly, he added.

“They had an opportunity to make a deal, they should have made a deal,” Hegseth said.

“President Trump’s word means something … and at the Defense Department our job is to stand ready and prepared with options and that’s precisely what we’re doing,” he added.