What does Trump want in Iran?

PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s threats to attack Iran provide little detail on what the long-term US goal would be in the event of a sustained or even brief conflict.

- 

THIS combination of pictures created shows US President Donald Trump, left, and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei addressing supporters.

(AFP)

Trump sent warships and dozens of fighter planes to the Middle East and has several options to choose from that could destabilise the region.

Will Trump order surgical strikes targeting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the backbone of the clerical regime in power, try to take out its missile program - as Israel wants him to do - or even try to force regime change in Tehran?

Iran has threatened severe reprisal if it is attacked.

Trump said last week he would decide in 10 or 15 days whether to order strikes on Iran if no nuclear deal is reached.

The news outlet Axios has reported that Trump was presented with an array of military options that include a direct attack on Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.

Trump has said many times he prefers a diplomatic route leading to an agreement that addresses not only Iran's nuclear programme but also its ballistic missile capability and its support for militant groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas. Iran has said no to making such concessions.

The US and Iran recently held two rounds of indirect talks, in Oman and Switzerland.