🔸 TRUMP WEIGHS CEASEFIRE AGAINST WIDER WAR: President Trump is nearing a critical decision point in the conflict with Iran, weighing a proposed 10-day ceasefire against a massive joint escalation with Israel, according to Axios.
Regional mediators, including Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan and Oman, have presented a 10-day pause framework intended to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The plan includes negotiations over long-term maritime passage fees modeled after the Strait of Malacca or managed through an International Maritime Organization joint fund.
Neither Washington nor Tehran has formally accepted the proposal.
A U.S. official told Axios: "Right now, President Trump is focused on making Iran pay for their violations of the MOU and their continued acts of terrorism in the Strait of Hormuz. In addition, the President will make Iran pay for the recent deaths of U.S. soldiers. These devastating blows will continue until the President deems otherwise, but talks between our countries are continuing".
N12 separately quoted a senior American official citing Iran’s alleged violations of the memorandum, its continued terrorist acts in the Strait of Hormuz and the killing of American soldiers in Jordan, while confirming that talks between the U.S. and Iran are continuing.
The U.S. has deployed dozens of fighter jets and refueling aircraft to the Middle East. Israeli forces remain on high alert for a potential coordinated, full-scale campaign intended to force Tehran’s capitulation if diplomatic efforts fail.
U.S. officials said that if President Trump orders a return to large-scale military operations, "they will be more intense and widespread than the current attacks". The deployment of additional military aircraft was described as a preparatory measure awaiting his final decision.
The officials said "Israel is likely to participate" if President Trump significantly expands the war.
A high-ranking U.S. official told Israel Hayom: "If Trump decides to expand the fighting against Iran, Israel is expected to participate in the conflict".
Washington has avoided launching strikes near Tehran or against nuclear facilities "since July 7", but U.S. officials cautioned that "this could change if large-scale operations resume".
Following a lengthy security discussion, Smotrich described Israel’s preferred course under the current limited confrontation: "Israel has no interest in joining the limited confrontation between Iran and the US — the current situation is the best possible for us. Our goal is to topple the Iranian regime, and the best way to achieve that is to cause its economic collapse".
Oil prices recently touched $90 per barrel following 10 consecutive nights of U.S. airstrikes, attacks on commercial shipping and U.S. troop casualties in Jordan.
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