Biden considered striking Iran's nuclear sites before Trump inauguration: Report
What's the story
United States President Joe Biden reportedly considered military action against Iran's nuclear facilities before Donald Trump swears in on January 20.
Axios, citing sources, reported that the the discussions were "prudent scenario planning" and not based on fresh information. Another source stated that they were not "active" discussions about military action.
Jake Sullivan, the White House's national security adviser, presented several scenarios to Biden during the confidential talks last month.
Security briefing
Biden briefed on risks of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons
The talks focused on how the US should respond if Iran enriched uranium to 90% purity, a critical step toward developing a nuclear bomb.
Biden reportedly asked if Iran had done anything to warrant an immediate military response before Trump took office.
However, no final decision was reached and there are no active discussions on military action against Iran.
Nuclear concerns
Sullivan warns of Iran potentially reneging on nuclear promise
Previously, Sullivan had raised concerns over an increased risk of Iran going back on its promise of not building nuclear weapons.
"It's a risk we are trying to be vigilant about now," he said.
He had also said that he had been in talks with Israel over the matter and the incoming Trump administration could possibly convince Iran to dismantle its nuclear program in its "weakened state."
Policy outlook
Trump administration's stance on Iran's nuclear program
Reportedly, President-elect Trump is mulling airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities when he returns to the White House.
He has raised concerns over Iran going nuclear in recent talks with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.
Notably, Marco Rubio and Mike Waltz, Trump's nominees for secretary of state and national security adviser respectively, have always taken a hardline stances on Iran.