White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan presented President Joe Biden with potential military options for striking Iran's nuclear facilities if Tehran advances toward a nuclear weapon before January 20, Axios reported, citing three sources.
Biden and his national security team reviewed scenarios during a meeting around a month ago but the president has not authorized any strike, the sources said.
The discussion was part of "prudent scenario planning" and was not prompted by new intelligence a US official told Axios.
Sullivan did not make any recommendation to Biden on the issue, but only discussed scenario planning, the report added citing a US official.
No active discussions about military action are currently underway, another source said.
The United States has long sought to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a concern that has driven years of diplomacy and sanctions.
Tehran asserts that its nuclear program is for civilian use only and has steadily expanded it since Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
The Biden administration attempted to revive the agreement or negotiate a new one, which never materialised, leading Washington and its allies to consider other options to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Tensions between the two countries have also been exacerbated by Iran's regional activities, including its support for militant groups and armed allied groups across the Middle East.
US president-elect Donald Trump has said that his only red line is for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, while making clear that he does not seek war or regime change in the country.
