Top U.S. Middle East commander briefs Trump on Iran blockade

U.S. Central Command Chief Admiral Brad Cooper briefed President Donald Trump on Thursday regarding the status of the Iran war, placing specific emphasis on the effectiveness of the ongoing naval blockade. Two U.S. officials stated that the president sought direct insight into whether the maritime restrictions were achieving their intended economic impact. The briefing also covered military operations designed to guide oil tankers safely out of the Strait of Hormuz toward global energy markets, as well as an economic pressure campaign conducted jointly by the military and the Treasury Department. Senior officials present included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine, and White House envoy Steve Witkoff. Both the White House and Central Command declined to comment on the meeting, which was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. The presidential decision-making process appears to be entering a critical phase. On Sunday, Trump told Fox News that he faces a binary choice: either negotiate a deal with Tehran or launch a final military offensive. "Do I make a deal with them or do I finish them off? That’s the only question," Trump said. He described finishing the conflict as "very easy to do" and noted that he is approaching decision time. Although he later told reporters there would be no strike that day, military planners have reportedly assembled options for a new major operation. These plans, which have been presented to Defense Secretary Hegseth, include potential attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure and other economically vital facilities beyond those targeted in previous campaigns. A parallel diplomatic track is currently active, led by a group of regional mediators headed by Qatar. A regional source described the mediation as being at a "very sensitive stage." Qatari intermediaries recently delivered a letter from Vice President JD Vance to General Mohsen Rezaei, Iran’s Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. In the letter, Vance proposed restarting negotiations but insisted that any talks must address Iran’s nuclear program. Trump and Vance met on Wednesday to discuss potential gestures of goodwill, such as sending humanitarian goods like food and medicine to Iran. Trump subsequently supported this idea publicly. Despite these diplomatic efforts, Iranian officials maintained their demands on Thursday. They stated that the United States must lift the blockade, release frozen Iranian funds, and permit Iran to sell oil before negotiations on the nuclear program can resume. U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack offered a more optimistic assessment, telling CNN that the two sides are "very close" to a de-escalation agreement. "I think we're very close to finally getting to a place where we can say, 'Let's just have a timeout,'" Barrack said. He added that while an immediate comprehensive solution is unlikely, the region can begin to find its own pace. The geopolitical landscape is further complicated by intelligence warnings regarding Iranian intent. Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton issued a memorandum to Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning that Iranian efforts to target Americans have intensified. The memo indicated that plots to kill U.S. citizens in the Middle East and other countries have reached "advanced stages." Separately, two Iranian officials, including one member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, acknowledged plans to target American diplomats and personnel in retaliation for renewed U.S. strikes. When asked about these intelligence reports on Sunday, Trump said he had received differing accounts but refused to elaborate. Military posture reflects the heightened tension. The United States has deployed additional forces, including a third aircraft carrier group, toward the Arabian Gulf in recent weeks. Officials have warned that the period between the November 3 midterm elections and the convening of the new Congress could be particularly dangerous. A negotiated deal is viewed as the most probable path to ending the conflict, which is now nearing its eighth month. High prices for fuel and other necessities are expected to weigh heavily on voters. Admiral Cooper visited the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday to emphasize Washington’s commitment to helping Gulf partners export crude oil. Central Command stated that U.S. assistance has enabled Gulf allies to export more than 1.5 billion barrels of oil since the summer. Cooper stated that the visit underscores the commitment to freedom of navigation. U.S. forces have successfully cleared the strait’s international shipping lanes of sea mines laid by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Trump claimed that current business volume through the strait exceeds pre-war levels, noting that overall Middle Eastern oil shipments have surpassed 24 million barrels per day as Gulf producers utilize alternative export routes. Domestic political voices have weighed in on the strategy. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida argued that the U.S. should aim to "demolish" Iran’s regime. He contended that the nation must prepare for war to achieve peace and prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Rubio asserted that the U.S. military possesses the capability to conclude the conflict rather than continuing costly operations to protect oil flows. In a separate policy stance, Rubio expressed opposition to government grants for companies, preferring that taxpayers receive equity stakes when federal money is provided to ensure a return on investment. Security measures for U.S. personnel in the region have tightened. The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia announced that government employees now require special authorization from the chief of mission to use any airport in the country. Due to safety risks from Iran and Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling within 20 miles of the Yemen border. Special authorization is also required for travel to the provinces of Jizan, Asir, and Najran, as well as the cities of Qatif, Yanbu, and Taif. The embassy advised U.S. citizens to be aware of potential attacks on airports, airspace closures, and flight cancellations.