U.S. President Donald Trump may delay planned military action against Iran if there are credible signs that a diplomatic settlement is within reach, media reports citing U.S. officials said. Officials told reporters the president remains open to accepting any viable deal that develops from ongoing talks, but it is unclear whether Iran will make the concessions necessary to secure such an agreement.
At the same time, the White House has expressed reservations about pushing the current deadline out further, suggesting the timeframe for negotiations is limited. Those doubts were reported alongside descriptions of Tehran's response to the latest U.S.-backed proposal as "tough." U.S. officials, however, characterized that posture as a negotiating tactic rather than a categorical rejection.
The developments come ahead of a deadline set by the president for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 8 P.M. ET Tuesday. Mr. Trump has warned of forceful measures should Tehran fail to comply, threatening strikes on a power plant and bridges and saying the entire country could be "taken out" if the deadline is not met.
Some U.S. officials told reporters that the president has privately grown less optimistic that a diplomatic outcome will be achieved and is increasingly preparing to issue final orders for military strikes, potentially as early as Tuesday evening. Those accounts indicate that while diplomacy remains a possible path, plans for military action are being readied in parallel.
Officials described Iran's response to the U.S.-backed proposal as firm but said they interpret it as a negotiating posture rather than an absolute refusal to engage. The White House's reluctance to extend the timetable further underscores the limited window for talks, even as the administration remains open to accepting any deal that emerges.
Context and next steps
According to U.S. officials cited in media reports, the choice facing the administration is whether to wait for clearer signs that a deal can be reached or to proceed with planned military actions when the deadline arrives. The reports indicate both paths are being considered, with military preparations continuing amid ongoing diplomatic exchanges.