Trump weighing limited strike on Iran to force nuclear deal - WSJ

US President Donald Trump is weighing an initial limited military strike on Iran to pressure Tehran into meeting his demands for a nuclear agreement, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The opening assault, which if authorized could come within days, would target a few military or government sites and be designed to pressure Iran into an agreement while falling short of a full-scale attack that could inspire major retaliation, the report said.

If Iran still refused to comply with Trump’s directive to end its nuclear enrichment, the US would respond with a broad campaign against government facilities — potentially aimed at toppling the government.

The limited-strike option, which hasn’t been previously reported, signals Trump might be open to using military force not only as a reprimand for Iran’s failure to make a deal, but also to pave the way for a US-friendly accord.

Trump could ratchet up his attacks, starting small before ordering larger strikes until the Islamic Republic either dismantles its nuclear work or falls, one of the people said.

Discussions of late have focused more on larger-scale campaigns, the report cited unnamed officials as saying.