Axios: Trump receives CENTCOM briefing as US weighs next steps in Iran war

• CENTCOM chief Adm. Brad Cooper briefed Trump on the Iran war, focusing on the effectiveness of the US naval blockade.
• The briefing covered efforts to guide oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz and the economic campaign against Tehran.
• Washington is pursuing negotiations while preparing for the possibility of renewed military operations after the November 3 midterm elections.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Adm. Brad Cooper briefed President Donald Trump on Thursday on the state of the war with Iran, with particular focus on the effectiveness of the ongoing US naval blockade, Axios reported, citing two US officials.

The White House meeting comes as the Trump administration weighs whether to resume major military operations against Iran, while pursuing diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement with Tehran.

According to Axios, Cooper updated Trump on the military situation and the blockade, which Washington has been using to restrict Iran's maritime trade and increase economic pressure on the country.

The briefing also comes amid growing uncertainty over the future of the conflict, with regional mediators attempting to prevent a renewed escalation and bring the two sides back to negotiations. 

Cooper also briefed the president on the US military operation to guide oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz and toward international energy markets, as well as an economic pressure campaign being conducted jointly by the Pentagon and Treasury Department.

The meeting was attended by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, Vice President JD Vance, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and White House Chief of Staff  Wiles. The White House and CENTCOM declined to comment, Axios reported. 

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