Trump's thinking is shifting toward using US military to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, sources say
From CNN's Alayna Treene, Kevin Liptak, Kaitlan Collins and Kylie Atwood
President Donald Trump is growing increasingly
warm to using US military assets to strike Iranian nuclear facilities and souring on the idea of a diplomatic solution to end the escalating conflict, two officials familiar with the ongoing discussions tell CNN
.
The new, more hawkish posture represents a significant shift in Trump’s thinking, though the sources said Trump remains open to a diplomatic solution — if Iran makes significant concessions.
Over the weekend and into Monday, discussions among Trump administration officials had continued to center on trying to find a diplomatic solution to serve as an off ramp, sources familiar with the talks said.
But Trump signaled early today his patience for diplomacy was wearing thin. “I’m not too much in the mood to negotiate with Iran,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One returning early from the Group of 7 summit in Canada. He added that his objective in Iran was “an end, a real end, not a ceasefire,” or “giving up entirely.”