Trump Weighs Fresh Iran Strikes as Tehran Rejects US Pressure

US President Donald Trump has been briefed on military options for renewed attacks on Iran, even as Washington pursues diplomatic contacts and Tehran insists that threats and incentives will not change its demands.

Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, presented the options during a White House meeting on Thursday, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing US officials and people familiar with the discussions.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine and other Cabinet members also attended, according to the report. The discussions followed a separate meeting on Wednesday involving senior military officials and US Vice President JD Vance.

The reported briefing concerns possible military action. It does not establish that Trump has ordered fresh strikes.

Iran insists on seven conditions

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Thursday that Washington’s “carrot-and-stick approach” would not influence Tehran.

“Iran’s conditions have been repeatedly and clearly stated to the mediators,” he wrote on X, adding that progress depended on agreement to the country’s seven conditions.

His remarks followed reports that mediators had warned Iran of renewed US airstrikes unless it accepted nuclear concessions. Washington was reportedly offering some sanctions relief and an end to its naval blockade in exchange.

The dispute leaves both sides divided over the sequence of any agreement: Washington wants nuclear concessions, while Tehran is demanding economic relief and acceptance of its conditions before negotiations can advance.

Vance’s letter awaits a reply

Iranian news agencies Tasnim and Fars reported that Tehran had received a letter from Vance but had not responded.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the letter was sent to Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei as part of an effort to revive negotiations and avert further attacks. The letter and subsequent contacts focused on a possible framework for talks rather than detailed peace terms, according to the newspaper.

Trump, however, publicly described Vance’s outreach as an effort to help Iran obtain medical supplies. That account differs from reports presenting the letter as a diplomatic opening to restart negotiations. reuters.com

US reportedly strengthens regional defences

Alongside the diplomatic contacts, Washington has increased air defences, munitions and other supplies across the Middle East in recent weeks, the Journal reported.

Some troops have also been moved away from installations considered vulnerable to Iranian retaliation, according to the report. Pentagon and CENTCOM spokespersons declined to comment to the newspaper.

The developments come during the conflict that began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which killed then Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior military commanders.

Iran claims three tankers hit mines in Hormuz

Separately, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps claimed that three oil tankers had struck mines, exploded and caught fire while attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz over the previous 24 hours.

The IRGC said the vessels had used what it called an unauthorised southern route, switched off navigation systems and ignored Iranian naval warnings.

The claim came a day after the US military said it had cleared the main routes through the waterway. The supplied reports did not independently establish the identities of the three vessels or confirm Iran’s account of the incidents.

With inputs from ANI