On Thursday, President Donald Trump reportedly received a rare briefing from America’s top Middle East military commander on potential operations against Iran, as the Pentagon steps up preparations for a possible return to major hostilities.
Trump Weighs Another Iran Military Campaign
Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, met Trump at the White House alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing U.S. officials and people familiar with the meeting.
The discussions reportedly covered military options against Iran and the ongoing U.S. blockade. The meeting followed a separate session Wednesday between the military officials and Vice President JD Vance.
Trump hinted at another military campaign last week, saying, “We may do another little Epic Fury. Or they’ll agree,” referring to the U.S. and Israeli bombing campaign against Iran earlier this year.
The administration has also reportedly warned Arab Gulf countries to prepare for a short but intense military campaign after the midterm elections.
Pentagon Moves Air Defenses As Iran Threatens Retaliation
The Pentagon has reportedly moved additional air defense systems, ammunition and supplies to the Middle East in recent weeks. It has also relocated some American troops from vulnerable bases.
The Army is additionally moving another Patriot missile defense battery to Israel amid concerns about a shortage of interceptors.
Iran has warned that any U.S. attack could trigger retaliatory strikes against American and Gulf country targets. Tehran has also resumed ballistic missile production using stockpiled components in underground facilities.
Vance Pursues Diplomacy As Lawmakers Raise Alarm
Meanwhile, Vance has reportedly contacted a powerful Iranian hard-liner in an effort to revive peace negotiations.
Following Vance’s statement, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said U.S. efforts to pair incentives with threats would not alter Tehran’s position.
He added that negotiations could advance only if Washington agreed to Iran’s seven previously communicated conditions.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who said he had received classified briefings on some military planning, criticized the prospect of renewed hostilities.
However, the White House discussions do not establish that Trump has authorized another attack.
The White House did not immediately respond to Benzinga’s request for comment.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also said Tehran was willing to pursue diplomacy on Wednesday, noting that it remained engaged with intermediaries while its military continued preparing to defend the country.
Oil prices traded higher, with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures gaining 0.93% to $102.95 per barrel as of 6:40 p.m. EDT.
Hormuz Traffic Remains 70% Below Prewar Levels
The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency recorded 122 outbound and 155 inbound transits through the Strait of Hormuz in the week ending Friday, Al Jazeera reported.
Traffic remains about 70% below prewar levels, although it increased from the previous week, when the agency recorded 114 outbound and 127 inbound transits.
UKMTO also reported three attacks in the strait during the week. The count excludes four tanker incidents Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced on Friday.
Since the war began on Feb. 28, at least 144 attacks have been reported across the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Aden and the Sea of Oman, according to UKMTO.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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