Donald Trump’s looming decision on potential US airstrikes against Iran is being guided primarily by the judgement of two trusted envoys — Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff — as the former president assesses whether Tehran is deliberately stalling on a renewed nuclear agreement.
Envoys at the centre of the decision
According to officials familiar with the deliberations, Donald Trump is relying heavily on advice from Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff as he weighs military options against Iran.
Both men have been deeply involved in back-channel diplomacy and regional consultations, tasked with assessing whether Iranian negotiators are engaging in good faith or merely buying time while advancing sensitive nuclear activities. Their conclusions are expected to play a decisive role in Trump’s final call.
Sources describe the process as highly personalised, reflecting Trump’s long-standing preference for tight inner-circle counsel rather than formal inter-agency consensus.
Nuclear talks versus military pressure
At the heart of the debate is whether Tehran is using negotiations as cover to accelerate uranium enrichment and harden its negotiating position. US intelligence assessments reportedly remain divided, but Kushner and Witkoff are said to be pressing for a clear-eyed evaluation of Iran’s intent before any kinetic action is authorised.
Trump, who withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear deal during his previous presidency, has repeatedly argued that maximum pressure — including the credible threat of force — is the only way to compel Tehran to compromise.
Advisers say the former president is now considering a limited strike scenario aimed at military and nuclear-linked infrastructure, designed to reassert deterrence without triggering a broader regional war.
Regional risks and global implications
Any US strike would carry significant consequences across the Middle East, where tensions remain elevated following years of proxy conflicts and missile exchanges involving Iran-aligned groups. Energy markets would likely react sharply, and Western allies fear escalation could destabilise already fragile supply chains.
European governments are urging restraint, warning that military action could derail diplomatic efforts entirely and accelerate nuclear proliferation. Defence officials, meanwhile, are preparing contingency plans amid concerns that Iran could retaliate through asymmetric attacks or cyber operations.
A defining moment
For Trump, the decision represents a pivotal test of leadership style and strategic doctrine: whether to prioritise diplomacy under pressure or revert to decisive military force. Insiders say he views the situation through the lens of credibility, believing that hesitation would embolden adversaries far beyond Tehran.
With Kushner and Witkoff’s assessments now feeding directly into the Oval Office calculus, the coming days may determine whether the standoff ends at the negotiating table — or expands into another major flashpoint in an already volatile world.
Newshub Editorial in North America – 24 February 2026
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