Trump is considering resuming large-scale strikes against Iran — CNN
U.S. President Donald Trump is growing increasingly frustrated with the progress of negotiations with Iran aimed at ending the conflict and is considering the possibility of resuming large-scale military operations against Tehran.
CNN reports this, citing sources.
According to the publication’s sources, the U.S. administration is dissatisfied with Iran’s position in the negotiations and does not rule out a tougher scenario if no progress is made.
According to the network’s sources, the U.S. leader is losing patience due to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, as well as due to disagreements within the Iranian leadership that are preventing them from making significant concessions in the negotiations regarding the nuclear program.
Iran’s latest response, which Trump called “absolutely unacceptable” and “stupid,” has led several officials to question whether Tehran is ready to take a serious negotiating stance, the sources noted.
According to the network’s sources, there are different factions within the Trump administration recommending various courses of action.
Some, particularly Pentagon officials, advocate a more aggressive approach to pressuring the Iranians to bring them to the negotiating table, including targeted strikes that would further weaken Tehran’s position. Others, however, according to sources, still insist on giving diplomacy a chance.
It is noted that many in Trump’s inner circle want Pakistani intermediaries to be more direct in their communications with the Iranians. Some U.S. officials have long doubted whether the Pakistanis are conveying Trump’s dissatisfaction with the state of negotiations—which he has publicly expressed—with sufficient force, the report states. Two sources noted that some administration officials also believe Pakistan often presents the U.S. with a more positive version of Iran’s position than what actually corresponds to reality.
Countries in the region and Pakistan are making intensive efforts to convey to the Iranians that Trump is disappointed and that this is their last chance to engage seriously in diplomacy. But, as one regional official stated on Monday, it does not appear that Iran is listening to anyone or taking anyone seriously. The official also noted that the U.S. and Iran have different levels of patience and timelines in their approach to negotiations, and that Tehran has withstood economic pressure for decades.
On Monday, Trump met again with his national security team at the White House to discuss options for moving forward.
Sources familiar with the negotiations say that a major decision on how to proceed is unlikely to be made before Trump’s departure for China, scheduled for Tuesday.
Trump denies that the war with Iran is over and announces new objectives.
Britain has called on Iran to fully open the Strait of Hormuz and restore international shipping, which has been operating intermittently since the situation escalated.
Recall that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not consider the war with Iran to be over.
Official Tehran has refused to participate in the second round of peace talks with the United States, which were to take place in Islamabad.
Iran rejected Trump’s claims about transferring uranium to the U.S. and accused him of manipulation.
