Trump Team Divided Over Iran Military Action, Diplomacy Pursued

President Trump's administration is deeply divided over how to address Iran's nuclear program, with hawkish figures like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz advocating for targeted strikes, while others—including Vice President JD Vance and envoy Steve Witkoff—prefer diplomacy to avoid sparking a new Middle East conflict. Despite recent indirect talks between U.S. and Iranian officials in Oman and a second round planned for Rome, there is no consensus on what outcome the U.S. seeks or how long it is willing to negotiate. Trump has so far opted to pursue diplomatic engagement, but internal discord persists, particularly after Witkoff suggested Iran might be allowed to retain limited uranium enrichment, drawing sharp pushback from Republicans demanding complete dismantlement of Iran's program. Israeli officials and some U.S. advisers continue to urge military action, arguing that only the threat of force will compel Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions. Meanwhile, U.S. intelligence assessments indicate that Iran is not currently pursuing a nuclear weapon, and Iranian leaders have called the dismantlement of their nuclear facilities non-negotiable. The debate underscores broader uncertainty about the administration's strategy, complicated by divisions within both the White House and allied governments.