Trump says Iran war decision coming ‘soon’ after security meeting, Axios reports

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he would soon decide whether to resume large-scale military operations against Iran, following a meeting with his national security advisers as his administration weighs renewed strikes, continued economic pressure or a diplomatic agreement to end the conflict.

According to a report by Axios, Trump and his senior national security advisers discussed Iran for the first time since the US midterm elections during the president’s weekly intelligence briefing. Two US officials confirmed the meeting to the publication. On November 3, Democrats seized control of both chambers of the US Congress in Tuesday’s midterm elections, handing Trump and his Republican Party a sweeping defeat driven by voter anger over the high cost of living, the war with Iran and the president’s stewardship of the country.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said he was considering whether further military action was necessary to ensure Iran’s nuclear programme could not be revived.

“Now we will make a decision. Do we want to go further” with strikes to ensure Iran’s nuclear programme is dead and that “it will never happen again?” he said.

“I would rather not destroy the rest of the country if possible, but maybe I will have to. You’ll know soon enough,” Trump added.

The decision comes as the administration considers three broad options: launching another wave of strikes, maintaining economic pressure on Tehran or reaching an agreement that would involve significant concessions from Iran. The midterm elections had been viewed as a key point for Trump to determine whether to escalate the conflict.

Diplomatic efforts gather pace

While Trump weighs his next move, diplomatic contacts between Iran and regional countries intensified on Thursday. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held several phone calls with regional mediators from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Egypt, according to the Axios report.

Qatari mediators continued discussions with Iranian officials and the White House over a draft proposal intended to build confidence through a series of reciprocal steps over two days, regional sources told Axios.

Under the proposed first-day arrangements, Washington would lift its naval blockade of Iran and release some of Tehran’s frozen funds. In return, Iran would formally invite the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to send inspectors to nuclear sites that were bombed, in line with an agreement reached in Cairo a year earlier.

On the second day, the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened, after which negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme would resume, with particular focus on its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

The proposal remains part of ongoing diplomatic discussions, and the report did not indicate that either side had accepted the proposed terms.

Iran seeks Russian support

Separately, Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council and a key figure in indirect negotiations with Washington, met Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Thursday.

The meeting followed a phone conversation between the two officials and Russian proposals to mediate between the United States and Iran.

Rezaei said he had delivered a message to Putin from Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei. He added that the Russian president had expressed readiness to help bring the war to an end.

However, Rezaei indicated that Tehran was maintaining conditions for any diplomatic engagement with Washington.

“We told Mr Putin that we announced seven conditions to the Americans regarding diplomacy, and that until the Americans fulfil our seven conditions, neither the Strait of Hormuz will be opened nor will there be any negotiations,” he said after the meeting.

US military prepares for possible escalation

The diplomatic efforts are unfolding alongside preparations by the US military for a possible resumption of major combat operations.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) is finalising preparations for potential renewed strikes in Iran, although it has not received a fresh directive from Washington, a US official told Axios.

One possible indication of an impending military escalation would be the arrival of a third US Navy aircraft carrier strike group in the Middle East.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt and its strike group are scheduled to spend several days in Singapore from Friday for a port call. A US official said the carrier group would not reach CENTCOM’s area of responsibility before mid-November.

The timing of any further military action therefore remains uncertain as Washington considers its options and diplomatic contacts continue. Trump has said a decision will come soon, but has not announced whether he will order renewed strikes, maintain economic pressure or pursue a negotiated settlement.