President Donald Trump has indicated to senior advisers that he is prepared to escalate US action against Iran, potentially including efforts to remove the country’s leadership, if diplomatic efforts and any initial military strike fail to halt Tehran’s nuclear program, The New York Times reported Sunday, citing officials familiar with internal discussions.

US and Iranian representatives are expected to convene in Geneva on Thursday in what may be a last opportunity to prevent open conflict. Even as preparations for the talks move forward, Trump has been reviewing military contingencies should negotiations break down.

According to the report, while no definitive course has been approved, Trump is considering launching a preliminary strike in the near future to send a clear message to Iranian authorities that they must give up their capacity to produce nuclear weapons. If that step does not achieve its objective, he has suggested the possibility of expanding military operations later in the year, potentially directing action at the government of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Officials within the administration have raised questions about whether air power alone would be sufficient to accomplish such an ambitious objective. At the same time, a separate diplomatic concept has surfaced in internal deliberations that might avert a wider war. The idea would permit Iran to continue limited uranium enrichment strictly for medical research, though it remains uncertain whether Washington or Tehran would agree to such terms.

Military preparations in the region have intensified, with two American aircraft carrier strike groups and a large contingent of fighter aircraft, bombers, and refueling planes positioned within operational range of Iran, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

On Wednesday, Trump convened a meeting in the White House Situation Room to review potential military plans. Those present included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.

Multiple US officials familiar with the session said the conversation reflected differing perspectives about how to proceed. Trump sought assessments from General Caine and Ratcliffe regarding the broader approach to Iran. Caine addressed the armed forces’ readiness and capabilities, while Ratcliffe outlined intelligence evaluations and possible consequences tied to various military scenarios.

In an earlier discussion unrelated to Iran, General Caine had voiced optimism about the prospects of a US mission to detain Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. In contrast, during deliberations over Iran, he acknowledged that confronting Tehran would pose a far greater challenge.

Vice President Vance, who has frequently urged caution in deploying American troops abroad, did not reject the idea of a strike but requested further clarification about the strategic and operational risks. He pressed both Caine and Ratcliffe to provide deeper analysis of the potential fallout from military action targeting Iran.

The White House offered no detailed response regarding Trump’s internal deliberations. Anna Kelly, a White House spokeswoman, stated, “The media may continue to speculate on the President’s thinking all they want, but only President Trump knows what he may or may not do.”

Tehran has issued its own warning. In an interview with CBS on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran would retaliate against American bases in the region if attacked, though he expressed a preference for diplomacy as US forces increase their presence in the Middle East.

Araghchi maintained that negotiations remain the appropriate path forward, describing diplomacy as the “only way” to address what Iran characterizes as its peaceful nuclear activities, and dismissing the effectiveness of military pressure. “There is no need for a military buildup, and also no use in it – military force cannot exert pressure on us.”

Meanwhile, Axios reported Sunday that a senior US official said American negotiators are willing to participate in another round of talks in Geneva on Friday, provided Iran submits a comprehensive proposal for a nuclear agreement within the next 48 hours.