In recent days, US President Donald Trump has been at a crossroads: he faced a choice between resuming full-scale war with Iran and continuing diplomatic efforts. According to RBC-Ukraine, citing The Wall Street Journal, tense consultations took place in the White House, which resulted in Trump deciding not to abandon negotiations for now.
Military option: discussion at the Pentagon
The administration's focus shifted to questions of military escalation. Trump held a series of closed-door meetings with Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine. During these discussions, a scenario was considered in which diplomacy would be abandoned in favor of full-scale attacks on Iranian territory.
However, despite the development of military plans, no final decision was made to launch a large-scale war. The President expressed concerns that a sharp increase in pressure could have the opposite effect.
Deterrence strategy and the nuclear program
According to sources, Trump explained his position to his aides: a new round of full-scale attacks could derail the diplomatic process. This, in turn, could undermine Washington's chances of achieving its main goal — the complete elimination of Iran's nuclear program.
The President also made it clear that he is prepared for prolonged negotiations. He stated that he is comfortable with a scenario in which negotiations with Tehran extend beyond the August 18 deadline for concluding a nuclear deal. In Trump's view, additional time is necessary for diplomats to effectively work on the details of the agreement.
Countermeasures and the current situation
Nevertheless, the US maintains a tough stance on security issues. Trump noted that he is currently satisfied with the strategy of targeted strikes. According to his directive, one-off attacks will be carried out in response to Iran's violations of the "memorandum of understanding." It was precisely such incidents that provoked hostilities over the past weekend.
A White House representative emphasized that Donald Trump consistently prefers diplomatic methods for resolving conflicts. In this regard, the administration believes that it would be more reasonable for the Iranian side to conclude a beneficial deal with the US than to risk escalation.
Context: from ceasefire to the Strait of Hormuz
Recall that in June, the US and Iran signed a framework document extending the ceasefire between the parties for 60 days — until August 18. This document became the basis for discussing key issues that should lead to a final peace agreement.
The situation escalated following mutual attacks that took place over the weekend. However, as Axios reported, the parties managed to agree on an immediate ceasefire. In the near future, a meeting between US and Iranian representatives is expected in one of the Middle Eastern countries. The main topic of the negotiations will be the regulation of shipping in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
