Trump Ignored Warnings Before Launching Major Attack on Iran, Report Reveals

Days before the United States initiated a military campaign against Iran in late February, President Donald Trump convened then-National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard to the Oval Office to discuss the wisdom of a full-scale attack. Gabbard presented a series of serious warnings, most of which materialized in the following months, according to a Wall Street Journal investigation published on Tuesday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior U.S. officials advised Trump that Iran was at its weakest point in decades, framing the moment as a rare opportunity to dismantle Iran's nuclear program, topple its regime, and cement Trump's legacy as a peacemaker.

Military leaders cautioned about potential casualties, depleted munitions, and readiness challenges within the already stretched U.S. armed forces. Vice President J.D. Vance advocated for a more cautious approach, suggesting initial diplomatic efforts given Iran's collapsing economy under sanctions. However, Trump ultimately sided with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Keane, and Central Command Admiral Brad Cooper, who proposed a decisive strike targeting missile launchers, radar systems, weapons factories, mine storage sites, and warships, alongside Israeli-led assassinations of regime leaders.

The attack commenced on February 28, with Trump urging Iranian citizens to overthrow their government. Shortly after, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and envoy Steve Witkoff informed Trump at a Mar-a-Lago fundraiser that Israel had assassinated Ali Khamenei. Despite initial elation, Iran's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei showed no signs of capitulation, with the Revolutionary Guards seizing control and attacking commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. The closure of this critical shipping route, responsible for one-fifth of global oil and gas trade, caused energy prices to surge.

Gulf states including Saudi Arabia and Qatar appealed to the White House for a diplomatic resolution to end hostilities without loss of face. The conflict resulted in approximately 3,000 Iranian and 18 American deaths, with 756 U.S. soldiers wounded, damage to U.S. bases, depleted oil reserves, and shrinking munitions stockpiles. The war also hurt Republican prospects in the midterm elections and lowered Trump’s approval ratings to their lowest during his presidency.

Diplomatic efforts led to a ceasefire, but Iran exploited it to lay dozens of mines in the Strait of Hormuz. A 60-day interim agreement to reopen the strait was reached on June 17, but attacks on ships resumed shortly after. In late July, Trump ordered a large-scale strike described as the biggest since World War II but withdrew under regional pressure. The negotiation period ended on August 17 without progress, and three days later, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant launched "Operation Economic Exile," a sanctions and naval blockade campaign aimed at regime collapse.

Nearly six months after Trump promised the war would end within six weeks, no resolution is in sight. According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump is considering declaring victory if the Strait of Hormuz reopens, even without a nuclear deal. Former National Security Council official Eric Brewer remarked, "Everything was predictable and foreseen. There is a direct line from the war’s start without a clear political goal to the failed diplomacy intended to end it."