Trump Iran strikes, USA News (London / Washington): Evidence is emerging that President Donald Trump may soon turn back to military action to break what has become an effective stalemate in the Iran conflict, despite the risk of plunging the region into a wider war. For months, Trump has claimed the war would end very soon while simultaneously threatening new strikes against Tehran. While defending the conflict at rallies across America, the President stated there would be no escalation before the midterm elections, claiming he would bring the war to an end immediately after, though how he intends to do so remains unclear.
Iran’s regime has withstood a devastating campaign of joint US and Israeli strikes at the start of the war, losing senior leadership including former supreme leader Ali Khamenei. The regime has also remained resilient against a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and additional US sanctions.
Trump Briefed by Key General
As the President weighs how to proceed, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump received a rare, in-person briefing from one of the top US generals. Central Command (CENTCOM) head Admiral Brad Cooper, who oversees all operations in the Middle East, briefed the President and senior officials on Thursday, providing an update on the conflict and outlining potential next steps. Admiral Cooper had recently returned from a visit to the Strait of Hormuz, with reports indicating Trump wanted to hear first-hand whether the US blockade of the waterway was proving effective.
Earlier, Admiral Cooper met with Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine and Vice President JD Vance for a separate discussion. Democratic Senator for Connecticut Chris Murphy, who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told a Middle East Institute event on Thursday that he had been briefed on what was under consideration, describing the proposed plan as something that will not achieve objectives and will set off a new cycle of escalation.
US Warns Allies and Moves Troops
While public statements from Trump suggest fresh attacks would occur if Iran failed to agree to a peace deal, private reports from the Wall Street Journal and Associated Press cite unnamed officials indicating the administration is preparing for future hostilities. Both outlets reported that the US is warning Middle Eastern allies to prepare for potential strikes in the weeks immediately following the midterms, which could last several days and likely trigger an Iranian response.
In anticipation of renewed hostilities, the US has shifted troops across the region, redeploying personnel away from a handful of bases to minimize threats. The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and amphibious landing vessels are also en route to the region, providing additional firepower, re-supplying troops, and bolstering air defenses. The Pentagon is additionally moving an additional Patriot missile system to Israel.
Mediators Urge Diplomacy
Amidst preparations for potential strikes, mediators in the conflict have urged both sides to pursue diplomatic solutions. The United Arab Emirates’ Foreign Ministry called for wisdom and political solutions, echoing Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Iran has promoted a proposal to re-open the Strait of Hormuz within seven days, though disagreements remain over the lifting of US sanctions and the nuclear program.
