US President Donald Trump is strongly leaning towards a major new strike against Khamenei-led Iran after talks between Washington and Tehran on curbing Iran’s nuclear programme and ballistic missile development failed to make meaningful progress, people familiar with the matter told CNN.Two US officials briefed on the discussions told Reuters that Trump wants to create conditions for “regime change” targeting the top brass of the Islamic Republic following Iran’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests earlier this month. The unrest, sparked by economic distress and rising prices, was quelled through force, with thousands reportedly killed.According to the sources quoted by Reuters, Trump has discussed options that include targeting Iranian commanders and institutions the US holds responsible for the violence. The aim, they said, would be to embolden protesters and weaken the government’s ability to hold key security and administrative buildings.

‘No nuclear weapons’: Trump warns Iran

Trump has publicly warned Tehran as well. In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, he demanded that Iran return to the negotiating table to agree to “a fair and equitable deal – NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS.” He also cautioned that any future US strike would be “far worse” than the one carried out last June under Operation Midnight Hammer, when American forces hit three Iranian nuclear sites. Trump described US naval movements toward the region as an “armada” heading closer to Iran.According to CNN, Trump is weighing a range of military options, including airstrikes targeting Iran’s leadership and security officials linked to the killings, as well as strikes on nuclear facilities and key government institutions. While no final decision has been made, Trump believes his military options have expanded with the arrival of a US carrier strike group in the region earlier this month.Trump’s planning on Iran also include to move one or more THAAD missile defence systems to the region, as sources told CNN.

US aircraft carrier moves closer to Iran

The USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group entered the Indian Ocean on Monday and is continuing to move closer to Iran. It could support potential military operations, both by assisting in strikes and by protecting US allies in the region from possible Iranian retaliation.Earlier this month, the US and Iran exchanged messages in an effort to ease tensions, sources said. These contacts included mediation by Omani diplomats and direct communication between Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The talks explored the possibility of a meeting to avert a US attack that Trump had threatened following the deaths of protesters.

Iran warns to hit ‘heart of Tel Aviv’

Tehran has issued sharp warnings in response. Iranian officials have said the “heart of Tel Aviv” would be struck if the US attacks Iran. A senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of an “unprecedented” retaliation against Israel in the event of any US military action.

Iran trying to rebuild nuclear sites?

It remains unclear why Trump has refocused attention on Iran’s nuclear programme, which he said last summer had been “obliterated” by US strikes. However, according to a person familiar with recent US intelligence, Iran has been trying to rebuild its nuclear facilities deeper underground. Tehran has long resisted US demands to halt uranium enrichment and has also barred the UN’s nuclear watchdog from inspecting its nuclear sites.Amid the growing threat of military action, the US has set strict preconditions for any talks with Iran, sources said. These include a permanent end to uranium enrichment, new limits on Iran’s ballistic missile programme, and a halt to support for Iranian proxy groups across the region.The main obstacle, according to sources, has been Washington’s demand that Iran accept limits on the range of its ballistic missiles — a major concern for Israel, which used up much of its missile interceptor stockpile while defending against Iranian attacks during last June’s 12-day war. Iran has rejected that demand and told the US it would discuss only its nuclear programme. The US has not responded, leaving negotiations at a standstill, the sources said.