President Donald Trump convened a meeting of the National Security Council on Tuesday to assess the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, as the White House confirmed discussions are underway on whether the U.S. should support Israel’s air campaign against Tehran.
According to a White House official speaking on condition of anonymity, the high-level meeting took place in the Situation Room and lasted approximately one hour and 20 minutes. No further details were disclosed about the outcome of the discussions.
The meeting followed recent remarks by Trump in which he declared that the United States would not target Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei “for now,” while demanding Tehran’s “unconditional” surrender amid the ongoing hostilities, now entering their fifth day.
U.S. officials reiterated that while Washington has not yet participated in Israel’s military operations, all options remain on the table. Among the strategies reportedly under consideration is the deployment of powerful U.S. “bunker-buster” bombs to strike Iran’s heavily fortified Fordow nuclear facility — a site Israeli weapons may be unable to destroy alone.
The New York Times also reported that Trump is evaluating whether to authorize U.S. aerial refueling support for Israeli fighter jets, enabling them to carry out extended-range missions deep into Iranian territory.
While dismantling Iran’s nuclear program remains a top U.S. priority, Trump’s recent rhetoric has reignited speculation that the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader could be reconsidered — just days after U.S. officials claimed he had dismissed such a move when proposed by Israeli counterparts.
Tehran, for its part, has consistently denied pursuing nuclear weapons, insisting its program is strictly for peaceful purposes.
