U.S. officials say that a group of hawkish consultants has contacted President Trump since Election Day to argue that the forced abandonment of Iran’s atomic capabilities is critical to his political legacy. The advisers suggest that securing a total surrender of the nuclear program would allow Trump to justify the political costs incurred throughout his administration.
The push is described by critics as a demand for a third military offensive following the failures of the Fordow strike and the war launched in February. While the push to continue the conflict is coming from outside the White House, some observers say the lapped pressure to escalate the war may occur at the expense of the president’s voter base.
