A decision to bomb Iran would be a war of choice. If Mr Trump scores what looks like an easy victory, without ground forces, he is likely to be hailed as a forceful leader. If he lands the country in a regional quagmire and the price of oil soars, the public verdict will probably be harsh. ■

Senior White House advisers downplayed the idea that a split over military intervention is influencing Trump's thinking in the Situation Room.

Donald Trump’s hints that he may dispatch the US military to help Israel destroy Iran’s nuclear program has spurred a revolt from his typically faithful America First base, further dividing a party already struggling to unite around the president’s second-term agenda.