Trump urged to threaten Iran nuclear program with force

The recommendation by the hawkish privately funded group founded by former diplomats was one of several broad policy proposals for the incoming administration to confront and weaken Washington's main adversary in the Middle East.

"President-elect Trump should use (a) policy speech to publicly outline in unambiguous terms that the U.S. will not hesitate to utilize military force to destroy Iran’s nuclear program if it takes steps to further advance its capabilities," UANI said in its report.

The UN nuclear watchdog said in December that Iran is accelerating its enrichment of uranium to up to 60% purity, closer to the roughly 90% level needed for a weapon.

Tehran has denied pursuing nuclear weapons, saying its program is peaceful.

UANI also recommended Trump empower Israel to be able to hit Iran's nuclear sites.

"Begin discussions with the Israeli government to transfer the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator to Israel to enable it strike hardened nuclear targets like the Fordow Enrichment Plant, as well as lease it a B-2 bomber as a delivery vehicle."

Israel knocked out much of Iran's air defenses in an Oct. 26 series of air strikes as retaliation against an Iranian ballistic missile salvo, but its ability to neutralize Iran's nuclear activity in deep underground facilities is in doubt.

Citing Trump's 2020 decision to assassinate in Baghdad Qassem Soleimani, the chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps's (IRGC) foreign arm the Quds force, UANI said Trump should target commanders inside Iran if Tehran harms US nationals.

"Strike IRGC commanders, Quds Force, and Intelligence Ministry assets inside Iran if the Islamic Republic harms US persons," it wrote.

The group sketched out further recommendations including encouraging defections from Iran's security forces, tightening sanctions including on Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, carry out cyber-attacks and encourage allies to shutter Iranian banks.