Trump is Considering Launching a Wide and Rapid Strike Against Iran to Pressure It

Translation by SadaNews - U.S. President Donald Trump held a meeting in the Situation Room on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the possibility of launching new strikes against Iran, just hours after he told reporters that the United States "would strike them hard today," according to two U.S. sources who spoke to Axios. The sources noted in the SadaNews translation that one option being considered by Trump is to conduct a large-scale and short-duration operation to pressure Iran to change its position in the negotiations. The sources did not disclose specific details. Qatari mediators held talks with Iranian officials on Wednesday in Tehran in an attempt to regain some momentum for the agreement that the U.S. and Iran have been negotiating for weeks. If no breakthrough is achieved, U.S. strikes may follow. The United States had bombed Iranian radar and air defense sites on Tuesday evening in response to the downing of a U.S. helicopter, but those strikes were precise to avoid casualties and to keep the door open for a potential agreement. Sources reported that the Situation Room meeting was attended by Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Keen, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, and other senior officials. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joined the meeting from the U.S. Central Command headquarters in Tampa. Hegseth told soldiers while in Florida: "If they do not reach an agreement, we will strike them hard," echoing statements made by Trump earlier on Wednesday. Trump has been feeling increasing frustration after waiting nearly two weeks for a response from Iran to his latest offer.