Trump discusses possible two-week US bombing campaign against Iran at Camp David

President Donald Trump told senior officials at a Camp David cabinet meeting that the United States is evaluating a large-scale, two-week bombing operation against Iran's missile infrastructure. He said the conflict could last five months and that U.S. forces have significantly reduced Iran's military capacity.

U.S. Central Command has drafted a plan, prepared by its commander Admiral Brad Cooper, for sustained attacks lasting 10 to 14 days that would aim to diminish Iran's ability to launch missiles without depleting U.S. defensive missile stockpiles. The plan would be the most extensive U.S. military action since the cease-fire that ended the first phase of the war in early April.

A senior administration official told the Wall Street Journal that Trump is in an “escalatory mood” but is still weighing the scope of any response. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine reportedly cautioned that an expanded campaign could strain U.S. air-defense interceptor reserves needed for global force protection.

The president also referenced a recent Iranian attempt to strike U.S. forces, stating that the United States would respond forcefully. Later that day, U.S. forces carried out strikes on multiple targets linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including command centers and missile and drone facilities, describing the action as a “powerful response.”

Despite the military options, Trump said the United States would continue diplomatic talks. Sources familiar with the negotiations said that talks have stalled, with Iranian political leaders and the IRGC reportedly on opposing positions.