US Prepares for New Military Strikes on Iran as Diplomatic Window Narrows, CBS Reports
Trump cancels weekend wedding attendance, military and intelligence officials put on standby, as Iran reviews “final offer” and warns of “crushing blows … in places you cannot even imagine.”
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration was actively preparing for a potential new round of military strikes against Iran on Friday, even as diplomatic negotiations continued and no final decision on military action had been reached as of Friday afternoon, CBS News reported, citing multiple sources with direct knowledge of the planning discussions .
The preparations have reached the highest levels of the administration. President Trump announced on social media that he would not attend his son Donald Trump Jr.’s wedding this weekend, citing “Circumstances pertaining to Government.” The president had originally planned to spend the Memorial Day weekend at his golf property in New Jersey but is now expected to return to the White House .
Military and Intelligence on Standby
Several members of the US military and intelligence community have canceled their Memorial Day weekend travel plans in anticipation of possible strikes, multiple sources told CBS and other outlets .
Defense and intelligence officials have reportedly begun updating recall rosters for US installations overseas as tranches of troops stationed in the Middle East rotate out of the region — part of a broader effort to reduce the American military footprint amid concern about possible Iranian retaliation if fighting resumes .
The United States and Iran have largely refrained from striking each other since a temporary ceasefire brokered by Pakistan took effect in early April, buying time for indirect talks on a longer-term deal. That ceasefire has now been in place for more than six weeks, but remains fragile, with occasional strikes from both sides .
Trump’s “Final Offer”: A Deal or Military Action
The military preparations come as Tehran is reviewing the latest US proposal for a possible agreement to end the nearly three-month war. According to a source who spoke to CBS News, the proposal was transmitted to Iran on Wednesday and was accompanied by a warning that rejecting this so-called “final offer” would mean military strikes would resume .
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly reiterated the administration’s position to CBS News, stating that Trump “has made his redlines abundantly clear: Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon, and they cannot keep their enriched uranium” .
“The President always maintains all options at all times, and it is the job of the Pentagon to be ready to execute any decision the Commander-in-Chief could make,” Kelly said. “The President has been clear about the consequences if Iran fails to make a deal” .
Trump himself signaled both impatience and openness to a diplomatic resolution.
“Iran is dying to make a deal. We’ll see what happens,” Trump said Friday .
The president said earlier in the week that he was prepared to give Tehran “a couple of days” to respond to the latest US offer. He also said his administration was “pretty impressed” by Iran’s negotiators, but cautioned that any agreement must include guarantees strong enough to prevent the conflict from reigniting .
Pakistan Remains Central Mediator
A response from Iran is expected soon and is likely to be delivered through Pakistan, which has been acting as an intermediary between Tehran and Washington throughout the negotiations. Before departing for India, Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that the US expected to receive Iran’s reply through Pakistan’s field marshal, who has become the primary communication channel with Tehran on behalf of the Trump administration .
Rubio said Trump preferred diplomacy over military action and noted that progress had been made, though important issues remained unresolved. He also revealed discussions held with NATO allies in Sweden regarding efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz through military means if necessary. Rubio referred to the contingency strategy as “Plan B” in case Iran refused to cooperate .
Iranian Warnings: “Crushing Blows” and “Places You Cannot Even Imagine”
The military preparations have drawn sharp warnings from Tehran. Earlier this week, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that any renewed strikes by the US or Israel could dramatically expand the conflict beyond the Middle East .
The IRGC promised “crushing blows … in places you cannot even imagine” in response to any fresh aggression .
Iranian officials have also claimed that the country possesses advanced domestically produced weapons that have not yet been deployed or tested in combat, with an Iranian military source telling Russian state media that Tehran was fully prepared for escalation and faced no shortage in defense capabilities. “This time, we do not intend to act with restraint,” the source said .
Tensions have been visible on the streets of Tehran, where public weapons training sessions, military parades, and Revolutionary Guard-linked mobilization campaigns have expanded amid fears of renewed fighting. Iranian state television presenters have appeared carrying weapons during live broadcasts as authorities intensify mobilization efforts .
Core Issues Remain Unresolved
The diplomatic deadlock centers on two primary issues that have proven resistant to resolution through weeks of indirect talks:
| Issue | US Position | Iran’s Position |
|---|---|---|
| Uranium Enrichment | Iran cannot keep enriched uranium; red line from Trump | Refuses to send stockpile abroad; Supreme Leader reportedly issued directive prohibiting removal |
| Strait of Hormuz | Free navigation; no tolls or Iranian control | New “Persian Gulf Strait Authority” requires permits and coordination for all vessels |
The war began after the US and Israel launched a joint air strike on Iran on February 28, 2026, killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top leaders. The conflict has rattled global energy markets and resulted in soaring fuel prices .
Congressional Dynamics: Authority to Strike
In Washington, House Republicans on Thursday abandoned an effort to hold a vote that would have limited President Trump’s authority to conduct military operations against Iran after concluding they lacked the votes needed to prevent the resolution from advancing .
The decision effectively clears a potential path for the administration to act without immediate congressional constraint, should Trump decide to order new strikes.
What Comes Next
With military and intelligence officials on standby, Trump canceling personal plans, and the clock ticking on Iran’s response to what the US considers a “final offer,” the coming hours could prove decisive.
| Scenario | Likelihood | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Diplomatic breakthrough | Uncertain | Iran accepts key US terms; stockpile issue resolved |
| Renewed US military strikes | Possible | Iran rejects or delays response beyond “couple of days” window |
| Extended negotiations | Moderate | Pakistan mediation continues; both sides hold fire |
| Iranian retaliation | Possible | IRGC has warned of “crushing blows” and wider conflict |
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. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said “deep and extensive” disagreements remained in negotiations with the US [citation:previous coverage].
The window for a diplomatic resolution appears to be narrowing. As one White House source put it: the president has made his red lines clear, and the Pentagon has been instructed to be ready to execute any decision the Commander-in-Chief makes.
Whether those “couple of days” produce a final agreement — or the resumption of full-scale war — will become clear very soon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is the US definitely going to strike Iran?
A: No. While CBS and other outlets report that the US is actively preparing for potential new strikes, no final decision has been made as of Friday afternoon. The White House has emphasized that the president always maintains all options, but Trump has also expressed a preference for diplomacy .
Q2: Why are US military and intelligence officials canceling holiday plans?
A: According to CBS and other reports, several members of the US military and intelligence community canceled Memorial Day weekend travel plans in anticipation of possible strikes. Defense officials have begun updating recall rosters for US installations overseas amid concern about possible Iranian retaliation .
Q3: What is Trump’s “final offer” to Iran?
A: According to sources cited by CBS, the proposal transmitted to Iran on Wednesday included a warning that rejecting this so-called “final offer” would mean military strikes would resume. The US demands that Iran cannot keep its enriched uranium and that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to free navigation .
Q4: How has Iran responded to the threat of new strikes?
A: Iran’s IRGC has warned that any renewed strikes by the US or Israel could dramatically expand the conflict beyond the Middle East, promising “crushing blows … in places you cannot even imagine.” Iranian officials have also claimed the country possesses advanced weapons not yet deployed in combat .
Q5: What role is Pakistan playing in the negotiations?
A: Pakistan is serving as the primary intermediary between the US and Iran. Secretary of State Rubio confirmed that the US expects to receive Iran’s response through Pakistan’s field marshal, who has become the primary communication channel with Tehran on behalf of the Trump administration .
Q6: What are the main unresolved issues in the talks?
A: Two core issues remain unresolved: (1) Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile — the US demands it be transferred out of the country, while Iran refuses; (2) control of the Strait of Hormuz — the US demands free navigation without tolls, while Iran has established a new authority requiring permits for all vessels .
Q7: Could Congress block Trump from striking Iran?
A: House Republicans abandoned an effort to hold a vote that would have limited Trump’s authority to conduct military operations against Iran after concluding they lacked sufficient votes. This effectively clears a potential path for the administration to act without immediate congressional constraint .
Q8: What is the status of the current ceasefire?
A: The Pakistan-brokered ceasefire that took effect in early April remains in place, though it is 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 regarding military action.