Axios: Military leaders present new options to Trump regarding Iran

SadaNews - The American website "Axios" reported on Thursday, citing a source, that military leaders will brief President Trump today on new military options regarding Iran.

The source noted that President Trump is scheduled to receive a briefing on Thursday regarding new plans for potential military actions in Iran from U.S. Central Command Chief Admiral Brad Cooper, with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Keen also expected to attend the briefing.

The site quoted the source as saying that the U.S. Central Command has prepared a plan for a wave of short and powerful strikes on Iran, likely targeting infrastructure facilities.

According to Axios, this briefing indicates that Trump is seriously considering returning to large-scale combat operations, either in an attempt to break the stalemate in negotiations or to carry out a decisive strike before ending the war.

The source stated that another plan focused on securing part of the Strait of Hormuz to reopen it is expected to be presented to Trump, indicating that the potential operation to secure part of the Strait of Hormuz may involve ground forces.

Axios also reported from two sources that Trump views the blockade as a key pressure tool but may resort to military options if Iran continues to refuse.

Meanwhile, Trump stated via Truth Social that a Harvard-Harris poll showed a strong majority supporting him on halting the Iranian nuclear program, sharing a link leading to a drawing of him accompanied by the phrase "The storm is coming, and no one can stop what is coming."

Pakistan, led by Shahbaz Sharif, is intensifying efforts to push Iran and the United States to return to indirect negotiations in Islamabad, after the second potential round was halted due to Iran's rejection of U.S. conditions and the direct dialogue format, with Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar confirming that Pakistan is facilitating discussions and urging productive dialogue that would lead to a ceasefire and regional stability.

To date, Iran continues to express a reserved position, refusing to engage in direct negotiations with Washington, linking any political progress to tangible lifting of the blockade and economic pressure, while the U.S. administration shows willingness to consider a new negotiating package that maintains monitoring of the Iranian nuclear and missile program, in exchange for partial relief of sanctions or easing the blockade on its ports.

Diplomatic and analytical sources estimate that the path of Pakistani mediation remains suspended on the fate of the truce and disruptions to oil, pressuring Iran at a time when Trump is wavering between continuing the military option or adopting an acceptable political course, keeping the situation today, Thursday, in a state of fluctuation between the possibility of renewed escalation from Washington and Pakistan's efforts to maintain indirect negotiations that would spare the region a return to full-scale war, without Iran or the United States announcing any written details of a final agreement yet.