Trump Again Threatens Iran as Intelligence Shows Limited Nuclear Progress

President Trump this week renewed threats of pre-emptive military action against Iran and said the U.S. military would act “with speed and violence” if Tehran would not negotiate to eliminate its nuclear program, even as U.S., European and independent monitors report little sign of significant nuclear progress in the past six months, the report says.

Interviews with U.S. and European officials and independent groups cited in the report say Iran’s enrichment program appears largely stalled: enriched uranium buried at three sites struck last year remains in place and high-level enrichment to make bomb-grade material has not been detected.

The article questions the timing and motives behind the rhetoric, noting officials wonder whether the threats aim to bring Iran back to talks or to weaken its leadership. The White House and Pentagon have backed the president’s posture with a large military buildup in the Middle East, including the Abraham Lincoln carrier, support ships capable of launching Tomahawk missiles, fighter jets, refueling assets and missile defenses.

White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly reiterated Mr. Trump’s position that “the world’s number one state sponsor of terror can never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio told senators that what would happen if Iran’s government fell was “an open question” and described the U.S.

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