President Donald Trump held his first meeting with national security advisers on Iran since the U.S. midterm elections and said a decision on the administration’s next steps would come soon.
Washington is weighing renewed large-scale strikes, continued economic pressure or a diplomatic agreement with Tehran. No order to resume major combat operations has been issued.
The discussion took place Thursday during Trump’s weekly intelligence briefing, according to two U.S. officials. Trump said the administration was deciding whether further strikes were necessary to prevent Iran from rebuilding its nuclear program. He indicated that he would prefer to avoid further destruction but did not rule out military action.
Military Preparations Continue Without a New Order
U.S. Central Command is finalizing preparations for a possible return to major operations against Iran, an American official said. The command has not received new instructions from Washington.
The timing of any operation could also depend on force deployments. The USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group is expected to make a port call in Singapore and would not enter CENTCOM’s area of responsibility before mid-November, according to a U.S. official.
Qatar Continues Mediation
Qatar is continuing indirect contacts between Washington and Tehran. Iran has sent the United States a draft proposal built around reciprocal steps, including possible inspections of nuclear facilities and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. side is reviewing the proposal. Iranian officials say seven conditions must be met before the strait is reopened and negotiations resume. The White House is therefore weighing military escalation, continued pressure and a negotiated settlement.
Sources: Vesti Baku; Axios.