Trump weighs military action against Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump is meeting with his national security team Monday to discuss the way forward in the Iran war, including possibly resuming military action, after negotiations with the country deadlocked on Sunday, three U.S. officials told U.S. news portal Axios.
U.S. officials say Trump wants a deal to end the war, but Iran's rejection of many of his demands and refusal to make "meaningful concessions" on its nuclear program puts the military option back on the table, according to Axios.
Trump rejected Iran's response on Sunday. "I don't like it. It is inappropriate," he told Axios.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, CIA director John Ratcliffe and other senior officials are expected to participate in the Iran meeting on Monday, U.S. officials say.
"I have a plan. Iran can't have a nuclear weapon," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Monday before the meeting.
"The ceasefire with Iran is on massive life support," Trump added.
Trump said Iran had agreed to relinquish its stockpile of enriched uranium to the U.S. But he said the Iranians apparently reversed course because their response Sunday omitted any mention of the issue.
Trump said the Iranian leadership is divided between "moderates and lunatics."
Two U.S. officials told Axios that Trump is leaning toward taking some form of military action against Iran to increase pressure on the regime and force concessions on its nuclear program.
"He will tune them up a bit," one U.S. official said.
"I think we all know where this is going," a second U.S. official said.
One option Trump is considering is resuming "Project Freedom," the U.S. operation to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz, which was suspended last week.
Another option is to resume the bombing campaign and strike the 25% of targets the U.S. military identified but hasn't hit yet.
The Israeli government wants Trump to order a special forces operation to secure Iran's enriched uranium stockpile. Israeli officials say Trump is hesitant to order such an operation because it is highly risky.
One consideration for Trump as he weighs next steps in the war is his trip to China this week.
The president is expected to leave Wednesday and return Friday. Two U.S. officials said they don't think Trump would order military action against Iran before he returns from China.
U.S. officials say Trump is expected to discuss the Iran war with Chinese President Xi Jinping. China has been urging Iran to reach a deal with the U.S. on ending the war and curbing its nuclear program, so far with no success.
