Trump considers broader Iran strike plans in situation room meeting to pressure Tehran over nuclear deal: Report | Today’s news
US President Donald Trump called a Situation Room meeting on Tuesday (July 14) to discuss plans for a broader military offensive against Iran that would go beyond the current strikes around the Strait of Hormuz, Axios reported, citing three sources familiar with the discussions.
According to the report, Trump appears willing to escalate the conflict in an effort to inflict enough damage on Iran to force Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and accept US demands on its nuclear program.
The meeting came as the US military launched a fourth consecutive day of attacks on targets in and around the Strait of Hormuz and on Iran’s southern coast. US officials told Axios that the operations primarily targeted air defense systems, radar installations, anti-ship missile positions and drone launch sites to weaken Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping.
Iran responded with continued missile and drone attacks on US bases in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain. Meanwhile, the US naval blockade of Iranian ports officially went into effect on Tuesday afternoon.
According to Axios, the Situation Room meeting was attended by Trump’s national security team, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Dan Caine, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and special envoy Steve Witkoff.
US and Iran trade new attacks as tensions escalate in Hormuz
The United States and Iran launched new attacks against each other’s interests in the Persian Gulf on Tuesday (July 14th), intensifying hostilities around the Strait of Hormuz, even as President Donald Trump said a settlement deal was still possible.
The US military carried out strikes on targets in Bushehr, Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island, saying the operations were aimed at reducing Iran’s ability to attack commercial shipping. Iranian authorities said the attacks hit several locations, including areas near the country’s only civilian nuclear power plant in Bushehr.
Iran retaliated by attacking two vessels in Omani waters, killing one crew member, while Bahrain said it had intercepted Iranian missiles and drones targeting US-linked facilities. Jordan also said it shot down four Iranian missiles.
The latest escalation came when Washington reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports after accusing Tehran of attacking ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has largely restricted shipping along the strategic waterway since February.
Trump also withdrew his proposal to impose a 20% levy on ships using the Strait of Hormuz, saying it would instead be replaced by trade and investment deals with Gulf allies.
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US launches new strikes on Iran as Trump warns of wider attacks
The United States also launched a new wave of airstrikes on Iran on Wednesday (July 15th) after reimposing a naval blockade.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the attacks targeted Iranian military capabilities used to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian state media reported explosions near Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Bandar Imam Khomeini and Bushehr, home to Iran’s only civilian nuclear power plant.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they had targeted the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed until Washington ended what it called its aggression. Bahrain said it intercepted Iranian strikes, while Jordan said it shot down three missiles.
President Donald Trump has warned that the US will expand its campaign to include Iran’s power plants and bridges if Tehran does not return to talks.
Iran said renewed US strikes had killed at least 30 people since last week, while its military said seven people were killed in Wednesday’s attacks. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also warned Iran against attacking Israel, saying it would face a harsh response.
Read also | Donald Trump Has No Good Chances of Reopening the Strait of Hormuz
