Trump weighs “major strike” on Iran after talks stall: CNN

• US President Trump is weighing major airstrikes against Iranian nuclear sites and government buildings, emboldened by the arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group and intelligence reports suggesting Tehran is at its most vulnerable following domestic protests and prior strikes.
• Despite mediation through Oman, talks have stalled as Iran rejects Trump’s "preconditions"—including a total halt to uranium enrichment and missile limits—prompting the President to warn that any future attack will be "far worse" than the strikes conducted last summer.

US President Donald Trump is deliberating a significant military strike against Iran, including potential airstrikes on nuclear facilities, government buildings, and high-ranking officials, as diplomatic efforts to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions have stalled, sources told CNN.

The considerations come after indirect talks, mediated through Omani diplomats and involving Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, failed to produce meaningful progress.

Trump did not make a final decision, the sources cited by CNN said, adding that the president believes his options for an attack expanded from earlier this month now that the USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in the Middle East.

The US has insisted on preconditions for negotiations, such as a permanent halt to uranium enrichment, limits on ballistic missiles, and an end to support for regional armed groups, demands Iran has rejected, preferring to focus solely on its nuclear program.

Trump amplified tensions with threats on Truth Social, demanding Iran agree to "a fair and equitable deal – NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS" and warning that any future US attack "will be far worse" than last summer's strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites.

US intelligence assessments briefed to Trump describe Iran's leadership as historically vulnerable, weakened by prior strikes, allies losses, and domestic protests.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this, telling lawmakers that it "is probably weaker than has ever been," but noted potential successors would likely remain hardliners.

One of the sources familiar with US intelligence cited by the report says that it is not clear whether removing Khamenei from power would mark the end of Iran’s current leadership. 

“Even if you remove the ayatollah, his successors are all hardliners, too,” the source said. 

“There are also no indications that Iran’s security services are preparing to turn against the government,” it added.

Iran's Araghchi warned on X that forces are "prepared — with their fingers on the trigger — to immediately and powerfully respond to ANY aggression."

The US is bolstering defenses with Patriot and THAAD systems, while the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group has moved into position.

Allies like Saudi Arabia and the UAE have declined to allow use of their airspace or territory.

A US official indicated openness to talks if Iran accepts terms, saying, "We are open for business…if they want to contact us and they know what the terms are, then we’re going to have the conversation."