US President Donald Trump speaks with reporters outside the Oval Office of the White House. AP
According to Axios, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has prepared a plan for a "short and powerful" wave of strikes on Iran, likely including infrastructure targets, in an effort to break the deadlock in negotiations, three sources familiar with the matter said.
The report says Trump is seriously considering resuming major combat operations, either to break the stalemate in talks or to deliver a final blow before ending the war.
Another option under consideration is partial control of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz to reopen commercial shipping lanes, potentially requiring ground forces.
Additional options previously discussed include a special operations mission to secure Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, sources told Axios.
The developments come amid mixed statements from Trump in recent days, as he has alternated between supporting the continued US naval blockade on Iran, describing it as more effective than bombing, and taking a more confrontational stance.
On Wednesday, he warned that Iran “better get smart soon" and posted a mocked-up image of himself holding a gun on his Truth Social account alongside the message "NO MORE MR. NICE GUY!”
Confirming the effectiveness of the US blockade on Iran's ports, CENTCOM said in a social media post that it had reached a “significant milestone after successfully redirecting the 42nd commercial vessel attempting to violate the blockade.”
It added that “41 tankers carrying 69 million barrels of oil” are now unable to be sold by Iran, estimating their value at more than $6 billion.
Trump is facing domestic political pressure to end the war, which is unpopular even among parts of his base, has increased costs for US consumers, and has raised concerns among US allies.
Iran's economy is also suffering, and the rial has fallen to historic lows against the dollar.
On the diplomatic front, CNN reported that Iran is expected to submit a revised proposal to mediators in Pakistan by Friday. The new offer follows Washington’s rejection of a previous plan that proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz while postponing discussions on Iran’s nuclear programme.
Sources familiar with the negotiations indicate that current delays may stem from difficulties in reaching Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not made a public appearance since the outbreak of war on 28 February.
Reports suggest that Mojtaba is alive but was seriously injured in early joint US–Israeli strikes on Tehran.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Iran’s foreign minister had assured him a response would be provided following recent talks in Islamabad.
Trump said on Wednesday that negotiations to end the war with Iran are taking place “telephonically” because “we’re not flying anymore” for 18-hour trips to Islamabad, after the first round of in-person talks ended without agreement and a second round was cancelled.
He insisted that his response to any proposal from Iran will depend on how far they go on their nuclear programme, saying “there will never be a deal unless they agree that there will be no nuclear weapons.”
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