‘Options sought to strike Iran’

President Donald Trump’s national security team asked the Pentagon last year for “options to strike Iran,” the Wall Street Journal reported, citing unidentified US officials.

The request was made after militants in Iraq aligned with Iran fired mortars at Baghdad’s diplomatic district, which includes the US Embassy, the report said. The request generated concern at the Pentagon and State Department, current and former US officials said.

Trump’s National Security Adviser John Bolton led the approach to the Pentagon. It isn’t clear whether the information compiled by the Pentagon was relayed to the White House or whether Trump was aware of the request.