Cabot Phillips

First, numerous reports say that the latest round of nuclear negotiations which took place in Geneva were essentially a ruse to keep Iran believing that a diplomatic solution was still on the table.

First, numerous reports say that the latest round of nuclear negotiations which took place in Geneva were essentially a ruse to keep Iran believing that a diplomatic solution was still on the table.

The U.S.

The U.S.

wanted to avoid arousing suspicion that a strike was coming, so they kept the negotiations going.

wanted to avoid arousing suspicion that a strike was coming, so they kept the negotiations going.

The president had decided reportedly that the Iranians were simply stalling, that they never intended to make a deal or give up their nuclear ambitions.

The president had decided reportedly that the Iranians were simply stalling, that they never intended to make a deal or give up their nuclear ambitions.

And that ultimately is what led to this decision.

And that ultimately is what led to this decision.

Senior White House officials are now saying there were also credible intelligence reports from within Iran that the Supreme Leader knew he was running out of time and also running out of options, and that he planned to launch a preemptive strike on U.S.

Senior White House officials are now saying there were also credible intelligence reports from within Iran that the Supreme Leader knew he was running out of time and also running out of options, and that he planned to launch a preemptive strike on U.S.

service members in the region.

service members in the region.

So the administration is essentially saying they had no choice but to strike first to ensure that that Iranian response would be more muted.

So the administration is essentially saying they had no choice but to strike first to ensure that that Iranian response would be more muted.

Now, there are plenty of skeptics, especially those on the left, who do not believe that assessment.

Now, there are plenty of skeptics, especially those on the left, who do not believe that assessment.

They have drawn parallels to President Bush assuring the American people there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and that warranted an invasion.

They have drawn parallels to President Bush assuring the American people there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and that warranted an invasion.