Trump ‘considering’ small-scale Iran strike as negotiating tactic

Published February 20, 2026 12:50pm ET



President Donald Trump said Friday that he is “considering” limited military strikes on Iran, which he suggested would force the country to the negotiating table.

“I guess I can say I am considering that,” the president said when asked by a reporter at a White House gubernatorial event if he was considering a limited military strike to force Iran into a deal. The Trump administration has been eyeing such an agreement in an effort to keep Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

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