(ABC News) Shannon K. Kingston - On Tuesday, U.S. officials signaled that the next 24 to 48 hours would be critical in determining whether a diplomatic solution with Iran is possible - or if President Trump might resort to military action instead. U.S. negotiators continued to assess that Iran is in a weak position and could be forced to come back to the negotiating table and to ultimately accept a deal that would require it to abandon all nuclear enrichment. While the Iranian regime has signaled a willingness to resume discussions with the U.S., the Trump administration has been looking for more concrete commitments that Iran agrees to drop its uranium enrichment before backing off the war path. But that scenario likely requires Iran to move quickly. Sources said the president has grown frustrated by Iran's inability to provide immediate answers and appears highly disinclined to allow a situation where it appears as if Tehran has successfully called his military bluff. B-2 stealth bombers are capable of carrying the 30,000-pound Massive Ordnance Penetrator bunker-buster bombs, which might be able to destroy Iran's deep underground nuclear facility at the Fordo Fuel Enrichment Plant. Six of the aircraft were previously deployed to the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean. However, they were replaced by B-52 long-range bombers which are not capable of carrying bunker-buster bombs.
2025-06-18 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive