Trump Orders Iran Attack as Soon as This Weekend, WSJ Says

Skip to Content News Archives Economy Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.HomePMN BusinessTrump Orders Iran Attack as Soon as This Weekend, WSJ SaysPresident Donald Trump has ordered the US military to carry out a new attack on Iran as soon as this weekend, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.Author of the article: You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.(Bloomberg) — President Donald Trump has ordered the US military to carry out a new attack on Iran as soon as this weekend, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountThe strikes are intended to convince Tehran to surrender, according to the newspaper, which cited unnamed US officials.The report comes hours after Trump cast doubt on continued negotiations with Iran, repeating threats to retaliate forcibly after an attack on a US base in Jordan.“We’ll be hitting them very hard,” the president said during a Cabinet meeting Friday. “And at some point they’ll say we just can’t take it anymore.”CBS reported separately that the US is considering striking energy infrastructure, including oil refineries and power plants, which would mark a major escalation in the military campaign. Deliberate bombing of civilian targets could be considered war crimes, according to advocacy groups.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againWTI rose above $86 a barrel in post-settlement trading on Friday afternoon following the CBS report.White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt did not directly address reports about an impending assault, but said in a statement that “Iran will continue to pay until they come to the table in, what President Trump deems, a meaningful way.”Why Trump’s Iran Threats Raise War Crime Concerns: ExplainerThe president has frequently threatened sweeping escalation only to shift his stance soon afterward. At the same time, the war has depleted US munitions, particularly air defense interceptors crucial to stopping attacks on bases.Unintended consequences have marked the conflict, which began on Feb. 28 with massive airstrikes by the US and Israel. Iran swiftly and essentially sealed off the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for oil, natural gas and fertilizer shipments. While the Iranian armed forces were no match for America’s military might, Tehran’s attacks on Persian Gulf neighbors with drones and missiles disrupted business and everyday life across the region.Just this week, Egypt was drawn into the fray when two ships carrying liquefied natural gas were struck by drones at the port of Damietta. Oil prices have shot up with each round of clashes, and Americans who were already frustrated about the cost of food, housing and other items now pay significantly more for gasoline. With control of Congress at stake in November’s midterm elections, polls show that voters by a wide margin disapprove of Trump’s management of the war — and the economy. Earlier: Trump Casts Doubt on New Iran Negotiations as War Drags OnEarlier Friday, he told reporters during the meeting at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland that he was “losing faith in them because they do lie and do, they do misrepresent.”“And at some point they’ll say we just can’t take it anymore,” he added.Confidence between the parties appears to be at rock bottom, with Iranian leaders echoing Trump’s latest complaints by saying the Americans have reneged on commitments and can’t be trusted. —With assistance from John Harney.(Updates with Trump quote, oil prices, context starting in fourth paragraph.)This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. 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