U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that he will soon decide whether to resume an all-out military offensive against Iran, following a meeting with his national security team. According to Axios, the discussions marked the first meeting between Trump and senior security advisers on Iran since the midterm elections.
Axios reported that Trump is weighing at least three main options: launching fresh military strikes, sustaining maximum economic pressure on Tehran, or seeking a diplomatic deal offering significant concessions. Two U.S. officials confirmed that these alternatives were formally examined during the White House session.
Speaking to reporters, Trump remarked: "We will decide now. Do we want to continue attacks to ensure Iran's nuclear program is destroyed and never revived? I would prefer not to destroy the rest of the country if possible, but I may have to. You will find out soon."
Parallel to military threats, extensive regional diplomacy is underway. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi engaged in talks with mediators from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE, Oman, and Egypt. Qatari negotiators are advancing a proposed two-day confidence-building roadmap between Washington and Tehran.
Under the proposal, the U.S. would lift naval blockades and unfreeze certain assets on day one, while Iran would allow IAEA inspectors to access bombed nuclear facilities. On day two, the Strait of Hormuz would reopen for nuclear talks. Meanwhile, Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, noting that Iran has set seven conditions before opening the strait or talking.
A U.S. official confirmed that CENTCOM is finalizing preparations for possible expanded operations. The deployment of a third U.S. aircraft carrier strike group, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, scheduled to enter CENTCOM's operational zone by mid-November, is seen as a key military posture marker.
Source: Axios
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