The US President is reportedly ready to strike Iran.
13:30, Thu, Feb 19, 2026 Updated: 14:00, Thu, Feb 19, 2026
Trump has demanded Iran make major concessions regarding the country's nuclear and ballistic missiles programs (Image: Getty)
Donald Trump is reportedly ready to strike Iran "within hours" as the US President is rushed into a crisis meeting. Trump discussed with his top advisers at the White House on Wednesday the ongoing nuclear crisis with Iran, according to Axios.
The advisors showed him options regarding nuclear talks with Iranian diplomats earlier this week in Geneva. The administration is the closest it has ever been to launching a major war against Iran, sources say. This comes amid claims that more than 6,000 people were killed after joining nationwide protests in Iran against the rising cost of living and the government.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told the Daily Mail: "It was a pre scheduled meeting to receive an update from Steve and Jared on the Iran talks. It was not a rushed crisis meeting."
Recently, Trump ordered the largest military build-up of firepower on Iran's border since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Image: Getty)
In the past few days, the US has started sending ultra-modern F-35 and F-22 jet fighters into the region. Other crafts include F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jets, F-15 and F-16 warplanes, and the KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft that are needed to sustain their operations. On Wednesday, Flightradar24 showed multiple KC-135s flying near or in the Middle East, as well as E3 Sentry airborne warning and control aircraft and cargo planes operating in the region, the Daily Mail reported.
Sources claim Israel would support the US in a joint military effort aimed at toppling toppling the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's regime. On Thursday, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged people to evacuate the country as it may no longer be possible in a matter of hours.
"Please leave Iran immediately... and do not go to this country under any circumstances," he said.
It is believed Trump is considering wiping out the military and political leadership in Iran to spark chaos throughout the contry to spur regime change.
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Trump has yet to make a final decision on whether to carry out an attack. He has repeatedly demanded Iran cease its nuclear program, and has warned he intends to use force if no deal is reached. CBS noted the timeline for a strike was likely to extend beyond this weekend.
In June, the US struck key nuclear enrichment sites in Iran.
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English (US) · 