PANews July 16 news, according to Jinshi citing the Wall Street Journal, U.S. officials said that after a brief meeting with several senior aides a few days ago, President Trump is leaning toward expanding U.S. military operations in Iran. Potential options include stepping up airstrikes, sending ground forces to seize Iranian islands near the Strait of Hormuz, and bombing a hardened site that may be used for secret nuclear work. On Tuesday evening local time, Trump held a Situation Room meeting to discuss deploying U.S. forces to occupy Kharg Island and other Iranian territories along the Strait of Hormuz, as well as possible airstrikes on a nuclear-related target at Iran’s Piksa Mountain that has not yet been targeted by the U.S. In addition, the U.S. military could still continue airstrikes on more targets in Iran, including energy facilities. Trump has not yet made a final decision on the next steps. He has said both privately and publicly that he prefers a diplomatic solution to the dispute with Iran. Some U.S. officials said Trump is reluctant to send ground forces.
