Trump convenes senior advisers to discuss possible escalation of Iran conflict
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President Trump met with top advisers and cabinet members to consider intensifying U.S. military action against Iran amid ongoing hostilities in the region.
President Donald Trump held a meeting on Friday with senior advisers and cabinet officials to evaluate whether to increase the United States' military pressure on Iran, according to four people familiar with the discussion. The talks come after a recent breakdown of a cease-fire and a memorandum of understanding that had been intended to restart negotiations on a longer-term denuclearization agreement. In an interview with Axios the day before, Trump said he was "considering a massive attack" and was "close to making a decision," adding that the United States was prepared for such an operation. He also suggested that Israel might face "consequences" from Iran, though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet Trump in Washington on Monday. The conflict, which began after Iran struck a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz with a drone, has continued for nearly five months, with U.S. forces resuming strikes and maintaining a naval blockade. Recent Iranian attacks on U.S. interests, including a base in Jordan that killed four service members, have not been deterred by threats of further bombing. Analysts note that Iran's leadership appears more willing to endure the costs of ongoing hostilities than previous administrations.