Trump held meeting on Iran war plans after pausing attack
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Rubio, Trump and Hegseth in a Cabinet meeting in March. Photo: Will Oliver/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images
President Trump convened a meeting on Iran with his top national security team on Monday evening that included a briefing on military options, two U.S. officials told Axios.
Why it matters: The meeting took place several hours after Trump announced he was suspending attacks he claimed were planned for Tuesday.
- Trump continues to claim Iran has only a few days to reach a diplomatic breakthrough. He said Monday that the deadline was "two-three days, maybe Friday or Saturday, early next week."
- While Trump has repeatedly threatened military action during the ceasefire without following through, the fact that he was briefed on military plans on Monday suggests he's seriously considering resuming the war.
Behind the scenes: U.S. officials say Trump hadn't actually made a decision to strike Iran before announcing a pause. On Tuesday, he said he'd been "an hour away" from giving the order.
- Some officials did expect Trump to decide on strikes in a meeting with his national security team that was expected on Tuesday, but ultimately took place on Monday evening.
- His decision to hold off was partially due to concerns raised by several Gulf leaders about Iranian retaliation against their oil facilities and infrastructure, U.S. officials and regional sources say.
- The U.S. officials said the Gulf leaders urged Trump to give negotiations another chance.
In the room: Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and other senior officials attended the meeting, the sources said.
- It focused on the way forward in the war with Iran, the status of the diplomatic efforts and various U.S. military plans for strikes on Iran.
- The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
Between the lines: A U.S. source close to Trump said that several Iran hawks who have spoken to the president since his announcement on Monday got the impression that "he is in the mood of cracking their head open to get them to move in the negotiations."
- Many other U.S. officials were surprised by Trump's announcement on Monday, and admit they're confused as to which direction Trump is heading. Some think he might punt on a decision again if no diplomatic breakthrough is achieved.
- Trump claimed there were "serious negotiations" underway, though a senior U.S. official told Axios the latest Iranian counter-proposal did not show significant progress
- A regional source said the mediators are working to get the Iranians to present a more flexible position that addresses the U.S. nuclear demands.
The bottom line: "We may have to give Iran another big hit. I am not sure yet. You will know soon," Trump said on Tuesday.
