President Trump gathered his national security team in the Situation Room on Wednesday afternoon to weigh military options against Iran, signaling potential new strikes as diplomatic efforts struggle to gain traction.
The meeting came hours after Trump told reporters the U.S. would "hit them again hard today." Attending were Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, and White House envoy Steve Witkoff. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth joined by secure video from CENTCOM headquarters in Tampa.
One proposal under consideration involves a large-scale but short-duration military operation designed to pressure Iran back to the negotiating table, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Officials did not elaborate on specifics of the plan.
The timing reflects deteriorating momentum in weeks of U.S.-Iran negotiations. Qatari mediators attempted to revive talks Wednesday in Tehran, but without visible progress, military action looms. The administration has already conducted strikes this week, targeting Iranian radar and air defense systems Tuesday evening after Iran downed a U.S. helicopter. Those strikes were deliberately measured to avoid casualties and preserve space for a deal.
The escalating rhetoric underscores Trump's frustration after waiting nearly two weeks for Iran to respond to his latest proposal. Speaking to troops in Florida, Hegseth reinforced the hardline stance: "If they are not gonna make a deal we are gonna hit them hard."
The White House declined to comment on the Situation Room meeting or the administration's current posture toward Iran.
Author James Rodriguez: "Trump's messaging discipline here is striking, whether calculated or not, the U.S. and Iran aren't talking past each other anymore, they're talking through the size of the next explosion."
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