Trump is considering the possibility of launching an attack on Iran’s heavily fortified Fordo uranium enrichment site. The facility, shielded by a mountain, is believed to be beyond reach for all but the most advanced American “bunker-buster” bombs. He mentioned that a decision regarding direct US military participation, particularly due to the potential for fresh negotiations concerning Tehran’s nuclear agenda, would be made within a fortnight.

The conflict between Israel and Iran began on June 13, with Israel launching airstrikes on nuclear and military installations, key military leaders, and nuclear scientists in Iran. An Iranian human rights organization based in Washington reported that the strikes have resulted in at least 657 deaths, including 263 civilians, and over 2000 injuries.

Iran has retaliated by firing 450 missiles and 1000 drones at Israel, according to Israeli army estimates. Most have been shot down by Israel’s multitiered air defences, but at least 24 people in Israel have been killed and hundreds wounded.

Iran has long maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. But it is the only non-nuclear-weapon state to enrich uranium up to 60 per cent, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 per cent.

Israel is widely believed to be the only Middle Eastern country with a nuclear weapons program but has never acknowledged it.

The Israeli air campaign has targeted Iran’s enrichment site at Natanz, centrifuge workshops around Tehran, a nuclear site in Isfahan and what the army assesses to be most of Iran’s ballistic missile launchers.

The destruction of those launchers has contributed to the steady decline in Iranian attacks since the start of the conflict.