Trump ‘Seriously Considering’ New Strikes on Iran as Diplomacy Falters, Axios Reports
U.S. military and intelligence officials cancel Memorial Day weekend plans and remain on standby as President Trump cuts short personal travel, citing “circumstances pertaining to Government”
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is “seriously considering” launching a fresh round of military strikes against Iran unless there is a last-minute breakthrough in negotiations, Axios reported on Friday, citing multiple sources with direct knowledge of the president’s thinking .
The report comes as diplomatic efforts mediated by Pakistan and Qatar show little sign of progress, with a U.S. official describing the negotiations as “agonizing” and drafts “going back and forth every day” without meaningful movement on core issues .
Trump ‘Frustrated’ as Talks Stall
According to sources close to Trump and others familiar with the situation, the president has grown increasingly frustrated with the slow pace of negotiations over the past several days . Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday that he wanted to give diplomacy another chance, but by Thursday night he was leaning toward ordering a strike, Axios reported .
A source close to Trump told Axios that the president has raised the possibility of a final “decisive” major military operation, after which he could declare victory and end the war . However, there is no indication that a final decision has been made .
Trump himself signaled the gravity of the moment on Friday, announcing on social media that he would not attend his son Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding this weekend.
“Because of the situation involving the government, and my love for the United States of America, I will not be able to attend the wedding of my eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., this weekend,” Trump wrote. “I feel it is important to remain at the White House in Washington, D.C., during this critical period” .
Military and Intelligence on Standby
According to CBS News, which independently confirmed the preparations, several members of the U.S. military and intelligence community have canceled their plans for the Memorial Day weekend and are remaining on standby in anticipation of possible strikes .
Defense and intelligence officials have reportedly begun updating recall rosters for U.S. installations overseas as tranches of troops stationed in the Middle East rotate out of theater — part of an effort to reduce the American military footprint in the region amid concern about possible Iranian retaliation .
The White House has not confirmed any specific operational planning, but spokesperson Anna Kelly reiterated the administration’s position.
“The President has made his redlines abundantly clear: Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon, and they cannot keep their enriched uranium,” Kelly told CBS News .
High-Level Meeting at the White House
Trump met with his senior national security team on Friday morning to discuss the path forward on Iran . The meeting was attended by Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and other key officials .
The New York Times reported that the meeting appeared to be a review of military options should Trump resume strikes, including potential new targets that have not been struck before . According to the report, possible targets could include:
- Iran’s energy sector, including critical oil refineries and export terminals
- Missile launch sites that have been restored since previous strikes
- Underground nuclear facilities holding Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium
Trump has not yet made a final decision on whether to proceed with new strikes, and the White House has emphasized that all options remain on the table .
‘Agonizing’ Diplomacy: Drafts Go Back and Forth
The military preparations come against the backdrop of stalled indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran, mediated primarily by Pakistan with support from Qatar .
A U.S. official briefed on the diplomatic efforts described the process as “agonizing,” with drafts “going back and forth every day” without much progress . Key sticking points include:
| Issue | U.S. Position | Iran’s Position |
|---|---|---|
| Enriched Uranium Stockpile | Must be transferred out of Iran and destroyed | Will not be sent abroad; Supreme Leader has reportedly prohibited removal |
| Strait of Hormuz | Free navigation; no tolls or Iranian control | Proposes control and toll system for revenue |
| Sanctions Relief | Full relief tied to comprehensive, verifiable agreement | Demands immediate lifting as part of any initial deal |
| War Reparations | Refuses to pay | Demands compensation for US-Israeli strikes |
A source close to Trump told Axios that the president has grown increasingly frustrated about the negotiations over the past several days .
Contrasting Reports: Draft Agreement vs. Impasse
Al Arabiya reported on Friday, citing sources, that the final draft of a possible agreement between the United States and Iran, mediated by Pakistan, was expected to be announced “within hours” . The report said key terms would include:
- An immediate, comprehensive, unconditional ceasefire on all fronts
- Mutual commitment not to target military, civilian, or economic infrastructure
- An end to military operations and media war
However, Iranian officials have repeatedly denied that a deal is close, and U.S. officials have described the diplomatic process as stalled. A senior Iranian source confirmed that while the gap between the two sides has narrowed on some issues, the core disagreements over uranium and the strait remain unresolved .
‘Slight Progress’ but No Breakthrough
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking on the sidelines of a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Helsingborg, Sweden, acknowledged “slight progress” in the talks while cautioning against raising expectations.
“There’s been some progress. I wouldn’t exaggerate it. I wouldn’t diminish it,” Rubio told reporters. “There’s more work to be done. We’re not there yet” .
Rubio said there had been “a little bit of movement, and that’s good,” but he did not want to overstate the developments .
Iran Accuses US of ‘Excessive Demands’
Iran, for its part, has accused the United States of making “excessive demands” in the negotiations .
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in a call with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said Tehran was participating in the talks despite “repeated betrayals of diplomacy and military aggression against Iran, along with contradictory positions and repeated excessive demands” by the United States, Iranian media reported .
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said “deep and extensive” disagreements remained in negotiations with the US, and stressed that the recent visits by Pakistani officials to Tehran did not mean “we have reached a turning point or a decisive situation,” according to Iran’s ISNA news agency .
Pakistan’s Mediation Efforts Continue
Despite the deadlock, Pakistan’s mediation efforts continue. Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir has traveled to Tehran and met with Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with discussions continuing late into the night .
Munir is also expected to meet with General Ahmad Vahidi, commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — a key figure in Iranian decision-making — on Saturday .
According to reports, Qatar has also joined the mediation effort, with a Qatari delegation holding talks with the Iranian foreign minister on Friday .
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar began a four-day visit to China on Saturday — Iran’s main trading partner — which has supported Islamabad’s efforts to end the Middle East war .
Israel Sidelined from Talks
The New York Times reported Saturday that Israel has been “completely sidelined” from the US-Iran negotiations, citing two unnamed Israeli defense officials .
After being a full partner in the war room during the initial strikes, Israeli officials now say they are forced to rely on their own surveillance and third-party diplomats to learn the details of the American negotiating position .
“The banishment from the cockpit to economy class has potentially significant consequences for Israel,” the newspaper said .
Citing US officials familiar with Trump’s thinking, the Times reported that the US president views Netanyahu as a war ally, but not as a partner when it comes to holding talks with Iran. “In fact, he considered Mr. Netanyahu someone who needed to be restrained when it comes to resolving conflicts,” the paper said .
What Comes Next
With Trump publicly signaling his frustration, military and intelligence officials canceling holiday plans, and diplomatic efforts showing little progress, the coming days could prove decisive.
| Scenario | Likelihood | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Last-minute diplomatic breakthrough | Uncertain | Pakistan and Qatar continue mediation; final draft reportedly exists |
| Renewed US military strikes | Possible | Trump leaning toward action; forces on standby |
| Extended ceasefire without deal | Moderate | Both sides may continue indirect engagement |
| Iranian retaliation | Possible | IRGC has warned of response to any new strikes |
For now, the fragile Pakistan-brokered ceasefire that took effect on April 8 remains in place. But with Trump cutting short personal travel, military forces on standby, and diplomatic drafts going back and forth without breakthrough, the window for a peaceful resolution appears to be narrowing.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly summed up the administration’s position: “The President has been clear about the consequences if Iran fails to make a deal” .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is the US definitely going to strike Iran?
A: No. While Axios and other outlets report that President Trump is “seriously considering” new strikes, no final decision has been made as of Friday afternoon. The White House has emphasized that all options remain on the table .
Q2: Why is Trump frustrated with the negotiations?
A: According to sources close to Trump, the president has grown increasingly frustrated with the slow pace of talks and the lack of progress on core issues, particularly Iran’s refusal to transfer its highly enriched uranium stockpile out of the country. U.S. officials have described the process as “agonizing” .
Q3: What would a new round of strikes target?
A: According to The New York Times, potential targets could include Iran’s energy sector (including oil refineries and export terminals), missile launch sites that have been restored since previous strikes, and underground nuclear facilities holding Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium .
Q4: How has Iran responded to the possibility of new strikes?
A: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned that any new strikes by the US or Israel could widen the conflict. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has accused the US of making “excessive demands” in negotiations .
Q5: What role is Pakistan playing in the negotiations?
A: Pakistan is the primary mediator between the US and Iran. Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir has traveled to Tehran multiple times, and Qatar has also joined the mediation effort. Pakistan hosted the only round of direct US-Iran talks in April .
Q6: Has a final agreement between the US and Iran been reached?
A: No. While Al Arabiya reported that a final draft agreement was expected to be announced “within hours,” Iranian officials have denied that a deal is close, and U.S. officials have described the negotiations as stalled. Key disagreements remain over Iran’s uranium stockpile and control of the Strait of Hormuz .
Q7: Has Trump made a final decision on new strikes?
A: No. Trump met with his national security team on Friday to discuss options, but no final decision has been reported. A source close to Trump said the president has raised the possibility of a final “decisive” operation, but “there is no indication he has made a final decision” .
Q8: What is the status of the ceasefire?
A: The Pakistan-brokered ceasefire that took effect on April 8 remains in place, though it has been described as “precariously holding” with occasional strikes from both sides. The ceasefire has now been in effect for more than six weeks .
This is a developing story. Reflecto News will continue to provide updates on US-Iran military preparations, diplomatic negotiations, and any final decision by President Trump.