Donald Trump faces a critical decision regarding the future of the war with Iran and is considering the possibility of resuming U.S. airstrikes, while officials in his administration are working to lay the groundwork for a diplomatic agreement with Tehran.
According to Fox News, the U.S. president held two consecutive meetings with the White House National Security Team on Wednesday (Nov. 4) and Thursday (Nov. 5), in order to evaluate the options available to him. These were his first discussions on the war following the Democrats’ landslide victory in the November 3 midterm elections, which gave the opposition party control of both houses of Congress.
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Kompos spoke by phone with the Iranian foreign minister
On the table are the resumption of large-scale military operations, the maintenance of economic and military pressure through a naval blockade, as well as an agreement that could prevent a new round of conflict.
The New Moon on November 9 and U.S. plans for an attack
As the report states, U.S. officials informed Trump that Monday, November 9, coincides with the new moon in the Middle East, which means there will be little to no moonlight during the night.
These conditions are considered favorable for conducting military air operations, as darkness can provide greater cover for the forces involved.
The reference to this specific time frame reinforces assessments that Washington is seriously considering the possibility of new attacks, although no final decision has been announced.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has already drawn up plans for military strikes, which could have been carried out as early as the day after the election.
At the same time, thousands of U.S. military personnel remain in the waters surrounding Iran, participating in operations to enforce the naval blockade.
Trump: “I’d prefer not to destroy the rest of the country, but it may be necessary”
The U.S. president himself left open the possibility of new airstrikes while speaking to reporters in the Oval Office.
Trump stated that Washington is going to “make a decision” regarding the resumption of the war, raising the question of whether the U.S. should go even further to ensure that Iran’s nuclear program has been permanently terminated.
“Do we want to go further?” he asked, referring to the possibility of additional military strikes that would prevent Tehran from rebuilding its nuclear facilities.
He then used even more threatening language. “I’d prefer not to destroy the rest of the country, if possible, but it may be necessary,” he said. “You’ll find out soon enough,” he added, without providing further details on the timeline for his decisions.
Tehran’s proposal via Qatar and the seven conditions for an agreement
As the U.S. prepares for the possibility of new military operations, Iran has conveyed a new proposal regarding its nuclear program to the White House, using Qatar as an intermediary.
This development creates a parallel diplomatic track, as Trump is called upon to choose between seeking an agreement and continuing the military campaign.
However, Tehran appears determined to insist on its own terms.
The head of Iranian security, Mohsen Rezaei, stated on Thursday, during his visit to Russia, that Iran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz or return to the negotiating table unless the United States first meets seven specific demands.
These include the lifting of U.S. sanctions, the unfreezing of Iranian assets, and the payment of war reparations.
“As long as the Americans do not implement our seven conditions, we will not open the Strait of Hormuz nor proceed with negotiations,” is the message sent by the Iranian side.
Trump had rejected a previous version of the seven-point plan in September, even publishing a map on which the Strait of Hormuz appeared under the name “Trump Strait.”
Now, Tehran maintains that the process of implementing the terms has been simplified and could be completed within two days.
Trump’s advisors are divided
The differing approaches to dealing with Iran are also evident within the U.S. government.
Vice President Jay D. Vance appears to be leading the group of advisors urging Trump to reach an agreement with Tehran, thereby avoiding a new cycle of military escalation.
In contrast, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, favor maintaining the naval blockade, believing that continued pressure may force Iran to make concessions.
This confrontation is unfolding at a time when Trump is called upon to manage not only the military and diplomatic consequences of the war, but also the mounting political cost within the United States.
Iran is distributing iodine tablets near its nuclear facilities
. At the same time, concern over possible new U.S. strikes has led Iranian authorities to take precautionary measures to protect the population.
According to a report in The Times, Tehran is distributing iodine tablets to families living within a radius of approximately 3.2 kilometers of nuclear facilities.
At the same time, residents are receiving instructions on how to respond and protect themselves in the event of an explosion.
Iranian authorities fear that the next U.S. bombing could target the so-called “Pickaxe Mountain” (Pickaxe Mountain), a nuclear complex near Natanz that is buried up to 100 meters deep beneath solid granite.
The facility’s heavily fortified underground structure makes it one of the potential targets of interest in U.S. military planning, according to the report.
Warning from Iraq: “We will not become a launching pad for attacks”
Amid this climate, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi spoke by phone with Donald Trump on Thursday, warning that his country cannot be used as a base for attacks against neighboring states.
According to a statement from his office on Platform X, the Iraqi prime minister emphasized Baghdad’s position in favor of respecting national sovereignty.
As he stated, Iraq must not be used as a “springboard for aggressive actions against neighboring countries.”
This statement reflects concerns about the regional consequences of a potential new U.S. military operation.
Source: Proto Thema
