Trump weighs escalating Iran strikes or extending talks as Tuesday deadline looms
President Trump is weighing whether to escalate military strikes on Iran by targeting key infrastructure or allow more time for negotiations, Axios reported Tuesday, citing US officials. Trump has threatened to target bridges and power plants, with a potential decision expected by Tuesday evening.
US President Donald Trump is weighing whether to escalate ongoing military strikes on Iran by targeting key infrastructure or allow more time for negotiations, Axios reported Tuesday, citing US officials. Trump has threatened to target bridges and power plants on a tight timeline, with a potential decision expected by Tuesday evening, according to the report citing US officials.
Decision factors
"If the president sees a deal is coming together, he'll probably hold off. But only he and he alone makes that decision," the report noted, citing a senior administration official, adding that a defense official told Axios that they were "skeptical" there would be any extension this time around. Axios reported that Trump has taken a more hawkish stance than some of his advisers, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Negotiating dynamics
His negotiating team, including Vice President JD Vance, thinks that "he should try to get a deal now if possible," according to the report, while regional leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and some US allies have urged against a ceasefire without significant concessions from Iran.
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Iran's response
A US official later told Axios that Iran sent a 10-point response to the war-ending proposal, describing it as "maximalist" and saying it was unclear whether it would allow a diplomatic solution to move forward. The ceasefire proposal, according to Pakistani sources, includes an immediate halt to hostilities, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a two-to-three-week window to finalize a broader settlement, and subsequent in-person talks in Islamabad. Tehran, however, said it could not be forced into dialogue through "deadline threats."
Trump's warning
On Monday, Trump claimed that American forces could "take out" the entire nation of Iran in just a single night. "The entire country could be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow (Tuesday) night," Trump told reporters. He also noted his deadline for Iran, warning that by Tuesday night at 8 pm EDT, every bridge and power plant in Iran would be "decimated" if no deal was reached.
Conflict context
Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,340 people, including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets.
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