President Trump held a Situation Room meeting on Tuesday to discuss a military offensive in Iran that is expected to be broader than the current strikes around the Strait of Hormuz, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
The meeting took place as U.S. military operations continued in the Strait of Hormuz area and along the southern coast of Iran for the fourth consecutive day. The targets of these strikes included air defense and radar systems, anti-ship missile positions, and drone launch sites. U.S. officials stated that the objective of the strikes was to significantly reduce Iran's capacity to conduct attacks against ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
In response, Iran has continued to launch missiles and drones at U.S. bases in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain. On Tuesday afternoon, a U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports was implemented. The commander of the U.S. military's Central Command, Adm. Brad Cooper, reported that Iran has targeted civilians by attacking seven commercial ships, resulting in casualties among civilian crew members. Despite these developments, the U.S. military successfully coordinated the transit of 300 ships through the strait over the past week.
During the Situation Room meeting, Trump was accompanied by key members of his national security team, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Dan Caine, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and White House envoy Steve Witkoff. The meeting reportedly focused on plans for further strikes on strategic targets in Iran. The White House has not commented on the meeting.
In a prior interview with Fox News, Trump indicated that the strikes would expand in the coming days, stating that the U.S. military would intensify its actions against Iran. He mentioned that future strikes could target power plants and bridges unless negotiations are initiated.
Trump also noted that U.S. officials are monitoring activities at Pickaxe Mountain, a site believed to be associated with Iran's nuclear program. He expressed uncertainty about the site's defenses against potential U.S. attacks.
In a statement, Trump mentioned that his negotiators communicated with Iranian officials, emphasizing the need for Iran to engage in negotiations.