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U.S. President Donald Trump met with senior national security officials at the White House on Monday, while reports suggested Washington was considering possible military options against Iran following stalled negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program.
The meeting came after President Donald Trump sharply criticized Iran’s latest response to a U.S. proposal aimed at ending the conflict and limiting the country’s uranium enrichment. Speaking at the White House before the meeting, Trump described the ceasefire with Iran as being in an extremely fragile state.
"I would say the ceasefire is on massive life support," Trump told reporters.
According to the officials cited by CNN and Axios, U.S. officials are now debating whether to increase pressure through military action or continue diplomatic efforts.
Trump has become increasingly frustrated over Iran’s continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz and divisions among Iran’s leadership, reports say. Some Pentagon officials and administration figures are reportedly pushing for targeted strikes intended to weaken Tehran’s negotiating position, while others continue to support additional diplomacy, CNN suggested.
It added that Trump is not expected to authorize military action before returning from his scheduled trip to China later this week, during which he is also expected to discuss the Iran conflict with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Axios reported that one military option under consideration is restarting "Project Freedom," the U.S. naval operation aimed at escorting commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz before it was suspended last week after Trump signaled renewed optimism about negotiations with Iran.
Another scenario involves resuming bombing operations against targets previously identified by the U.S. military but not yet struck.
Two U.S. officials told the outlet that Trump appears increasingly inclined toward limited military action designed to force concessions from Tehran on its nuclear program.
Iran recently rejected the latest U.S. proposal to end the war and instead submitted a revised plan that Trump dismissed as "totally unacceptable," with Tehran’s state broadcaster maintaining that the U.S. offer amounted to "surrender to Trump’s excessive demands."
Before meeting with national security officials, Trump also claimed Iran had previously agreed to hand over its enriched uranium stockpile to the U.S. before reversing its position in the latest response. "I have a plan. Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon," Trump stated.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf responded Monday by warning that Tehran’s military was prepared to answer any escalation.
"Our armed forces are ready to give a memorable lesson to any aggression," Qalibaf wrote on X, while also stating that Iran was prepared for "all options."
He later argued there was "no alternative" to accepting the rights outlined in Iran’s 14-point proposal and warned that any other approach would fail.
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