US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he would soon decide whether to resume large-scale military operations against Iran. He made the remarks after meeting his national security advisers, while his administration weighs three paths: renewed strikes, continued economic pressure, or a diplomatic agreement to end the conflict.
According to a report citing two US officials, Trump and his senior security advisers discussed Iran during his weekly intelligence briefing. It was the first time the subject had been raised since the US midterm elections. Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in the vote held on November 3, inflicting a sweeping defeat on Trump and his Republican Party. Voter anger over the high cost of living, the war with Iran and the president’s stewardship of the country was cited as a major factor.
Trump weighs renewed strikes against Iran’s nuclear programme
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said he was considering whether further military action was needed to make sure Iran’s nuclear programme could not be revived. He asked whether the United States should go further with strikes to ensure the programme was finished and that “it will never happen again.”
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Trump also signalled reluctance to escalate. “I would rather not destroy the rest of the country if possible, but maybe I will have to. You’ll know soon enough,” he said. His comments left open whether the administration would return to major combat or choose another route.
The decision follows the administration’s review of three broad options. These are launching another wave of strikes, maintaining economic pressure on Tehran, or reaching an agreement that would require significant concessions from Iran. The midterm results had been seen as a key moment for Trump to determine whether to widen the conflict.
Regional mediators push a two-day draft proposal
While Trump considers his next move, diplomatic contacts between Iran and regional countries picked up pace on Thursday. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held several phone calls with mediators from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Egypt, according to the report.
Qatari mediators have continued talks with Iranian officials and the White House on a draft proposal, regional sources told the report. The plan is designed to build confidence through a series of reciprocal steps spread over two days. Under the first day’s arrangements, Washington would lift its naval blockade of Iran and release some of Tehran’s frozen funds.
In return, Iran would formally invite the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to send inspectors to nuclear sites that were bombed, in line with an agreement reached in Cairo a year earlier. On the second day, the Strait of Hormuz would reopen, after which negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme would resume. Those talks would focus on Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
The report stressed that the proposal remains part of ongoing discussions. It did not indicate that either side had accepted the terms.
Rezaei seeks Russian support while setting conditions
Separately, Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a key figure in indirect negotiations with Washington, met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Thursday. The visit followed a phone conversation between the two officials and Russian proposals to mediate between the United States and Iran.
Rezaei said he had passed a message from Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to Putin. He added that the Russian president had expressed readiness to help bring the war to an end. Rezaei, however, made clear that Tehran was keeping firm conditions for any diplomatic engagement with Washington.
“We told Mr Putin that we announced seven conditions to the Americans regarding diplomacy, and that until the Americans fulfil our seven conditions, neither the Strait of Hormuz will be opened nor will there be any negotiations,” he said after the meeting.
US military readies options as carrier group moves
The diplomatic activity is taking place alongside military preparations. US Central Command (CENTCOM) is finalising plans for potential renewed strikes in Iran, although it has not received a fresh directive from Washington, a US official told the outlet.
One possible sign of an imminent escalation would be the arrival of a third US Navy aircraft carrier strike group in the Middle East. The USS Theodore Roosevelt and its strike group are scheduled to spend several days in Singapore from Friday for a port call. A US official said the group would not reach CENTCOM’s area of responsibility before mid-November.
The timing of any further military action therefore remains uncertain, as Washington weighs its options and contacts continue. Trump has said a decision will come soon, but he has not announced whether he will order renewed strikes, maintain economic pressure or pursue a negotiated settlement.
