Trump to be presented with new options for possible US strikes against Iran

Officials in Washington are set to present US President Donald Trump this week with new proposals regarding the possible use of military force against Iran, Axios reports.

According to Axios sources, Trump came close earlier this month to authorizing strikes on Iranian territory in response to protests that erupted across the country.

“Instead, he postponed the decision while simultaneously deploying military forces to the region,” the outlet explains.

White House officials note that the option of a strike remains under discussion, despite the fact that protests in Iran have largely been suppressed, Axios writes.

Meanwhile, US Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that the carrier strike group led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is currently operating in the Indian Ocean.

Reports indicate that the aircraft carrier is carrying out its assigned missions, while its crew is conducting routine maintenance. Trump has not yet made a final decision on the possibility of strikes against Iran.

“He is likely to hold additional consultations this week and will be presented with further options for the use of military force,” the report states.

Earlier, in an interview with Axios, Trump said that the United States had amassed significant forces near Iran.