Trump weighs military action against Iran with ceasefire "on life support"
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President 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 said.
Why it matters: 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.
- Trump publicly threatened several times in recent days to bomb infrastructure facilities in Iran if diplomacy failed.
Driving the news: The U.S. waited 10 days for Iran's response to its draft proposal for ending the war. The White House was optimistic that Iran's positions would show further progress toward a deal.
- But the Iranian response that arrived on Sunday was not positive. Iran's state TV reported that Tehran has rejected the U.S. proposal, which it said "meant Iran's surrender to Trump's excessive demands."
- Trump rejected Iran's response on Sunday. "I don't like it. It is inappropriate," he told Axios.
Behind the scenes: Vice President Vance, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Rubio, Secretary of Defense 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.
What he's saying: "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."
State of play: Two U.S. officials said 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.
What to watch: 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.
The big picture: 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.
