Military plans advance while diplomacy stalls, signaling decisive shift against Tehran’s ambitions.
Navy Admiral Brad Cooper, who leads United States Central Command and oversees American military operations across the Middle East, briefed US President Donald Trump on potential military options regarding Iran, according to sources cited by ABC News. The high-level briefing underscores escalating strategic deliberations as tensions with Tehran intensify.
Also present at the meeting was General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the president’s top military adviser. The discussion reportedly focused on operational readiness and possible strike scenarios should diplomatic efforts collapse.
The briefing coincided with indirect talks between US and Iranian officials in Geneva concerning Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs. While no agreement was announced, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that discussions made progress and said technical negotiations would resume in Vienna next week.
Despite the diplomatic track, Trump has continued to keep military options firmly on the table. In recent weeks, the United States has reinforced its presence in the region, deploying additional ships and fighter jets within operational range of Iran.
According to earlier reporting by Politico, several senior Republicans and some administration officials have privately argued that Israel should take the lead in any potential strike, rather than Washington initiating hostilities. While it remains unclear whether Trump has embraced that approach, sources suggest frustration within the administration over Iran’s refusal to halt uranium enrichment or curtail its missile development.
A joint US-Israeli operation remains a possible outcome, given the significant American assets already positioned in the region. The current military posture provides flexibility should the president decide that diplomacy has reached its limit.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly reiterated that speculation about the president’s intentions is premature, emphasizing that only Trump knows what final decision he may take. The coming weeks, particularly the outcome of technical talks in Vienna, are likely to determine whether the path forward is diplomatic containment or a far more consequential military confrontation.
