The focus of the meeting was reportedly on blockade and economic pressure, rather than military action.
According to Axios, US President Donald Trump did not discuss striking Iran in his Thursday meeting with head of the US Central Command Admiral Bradley Cooper and several representatives of his administration. The meeting was attended by over 20 people, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs chair General Dan Caine. This meeting has sparked interest, as Cooper rarely briefs Trump in person, which could indicate that the United States is increasingly considering the start of large-scale hostilities with Iran.
The focus of the meeting was reportedly on blockade and economic pressure, rather than military action. However, this does not rule out the possibility of strikes in the future, particularly after the midterm congressional elections. The Wall Street Journal had earlier reported that Cooper presented Trump with options for possible strikes on Iran. It is unclear what specific options were discussed, but the fact that Cooper presented them in person suggests that the US is giving serious consideration to military action.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the meeting at the White House was also attended by US Vice President JD Vance, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and special envoy of the American leader Steve Witkoff. The presence of these officials suggests that the US is considering a multifaceted approach to dealing with Iran, including economic and diplomatic measures. However, the fact that the US has warned several Gulf countries of a possible
