Trump with his national security team (file image)
Axios: Trump meets national security team to discuss possible Iran escalation
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Trump said a decision on whether to resume major strikes against Iran would come "soon."
- The administration is considering renewed military action, continued economic pressure or a diplomatic agreement.
- Qatar is mediating discussions over a proposed two-day confidence-building framework.
US President Donald Trump met with his national security advisers on Thursday to discuss the next phase of the war with Iran, saying he would soon decide whether to resume large-scale military strikes or pursue diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, according to Axios.
According to the outlet, citing two US officials, Thursday's meeting was the first time Trump and his senior national security advisers had discussed Iran since the midterm elections, which had been viewed as a turning point for the administration's next steps.
The White House is considering three options: launching another wave of strikes, maintaining economic pressure through the naval blockade and sanctions, or reaching a diplomatic agreement involving significant concessions to Tehran.
Diplomatic efforts continue
The meeting coincided with intensified regional diplomacy, as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held calls with counterparts and mediators from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE, Oman and Egypt.
Qatari mediators are discussing a proposed two-day framework with Tehran and Washington that would begin with the US lifting its naval blockade and releasing some frozen Iranian funds. In return, Iran would invite the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to inspect nuclear facilities damaged in the strikes.
The second phase would involve reopening the Strait of Hormuz, followed by renewed nuclear negotiations focused on Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, according to regional sources cited by Axios.
Meanwhile, Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Thursday as Moscow offered to help mediate an end to the conflict.
Rezaei said he conveyed a message from Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and reiterated that Tehran would not reopen the Strait of Hormuz or enter negotiations until Washington fulfilled seven conditions set by Iran.
US military prepares for possible escalation
On the military front, US Central Command (CENTCOM) is finalizing preparations for a possible resumption of major combat operations against Iran, although it has not received a new directive from Washington, a US official told Axios.
The potential arrival of a third US aircraft carrier strike group in the Middle East could signal preparations for renewed strikes. However, the USS Theodore Roosevelt is scheduled to make a port call in Singapore beginning Friday and is not expected to reach CENTCOM's area of responsibility before mid-November.
For now, Washington faces a choice between renewed military escalation and a diplomatic settlement, as Trump signals that a decision is approaching.
Read more: Trump threatens to ‘destroy the rest’ of Iran as US remains on military alert
