President Donald Trump told reporters outside the White House on Friday that he would not indicate whether further military strikes against Iran are under consideration. More than two months after joint U.S. and Israeli strikes against the country, Trump characterized the Iranian regime as "disjointed" and suggested the leadership lacks the cohesion to negotiate effectively.
Trump confirmed meeting Thursday with Adm. Brad Cooper, leader of U.S. Central Command, where he said he was presented with military options. The president referenced plans to "blast the hell" out of Iran, language consistent with earlier statements about targeting bridges and energy infrastructure. He would not elaborate on whether such options remained under active consideration.
The Iranian government submitted a proposed deal Friday through Pakistan, but Trump rejected it as inadequate. "I would say that I am not happy. They've got to come up with the right deal. At this moment, I'm not satisfied with what they're offering," the president said. He indicated he had recently spoken with Iranian representatives, though the two sides appear distant from an agreement Trump would accept.
Trump asserted that Iran's leadership wants to negotiate, citing the damage inflicted on their defense industrial base. He suggested the negotiations have been complicated by uncertainty over who actually holds decision-making authority in Tehran. After a failed in-person meeting between Iranian leaders and Vice President JD Vance in Pakistan, followed by two canceled return trips, Trump indicated that Iranian officials could contact him directly to pursue a deal.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration maintains a naval blockade on Iranian ports as leverage. The White House characterizes the blockade as crippling Iran's economy by preventing oil sales. The status of any broader ceasefire remains unclear as diplomatic and military pressure continue.
