Trump Indecisive on Iran Military Escalation as Ceasefire Talks Stall
According to the report, Trump has threatened to target bridges and power plants on a strict timetable, with a decision potentially arriving by Tuesday evening.
"If the president sees a deal is coming together, he'll probably hold off. But only he and he alone makes that decision," a senior administration official told media, while a defense official expressed skepticism that any extension would be granted this time.
The report noted that Trump has adopted a more hawkish stance than some advisers, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
His negotiating team, including Vice President JD Vance, believes “he should try to get a deal now if possible,” according to the report. Regional leaders such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with some US allies, have urged against a ceasefire unless Iran makes substantial concessions.
A US official later told media that Iran submitted a 10-point response to the war-ending proposal, describing it as "maximalist" and indicating it was unclear whether the offer would allow diplomacy to move forward.
Pakistani sources said the ceasefire proposal calls for an immediate halt to hostilities, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a two-to-three-week window to finalize a broader settlement, and subsequent in-person talks in Islamabad. Tehran, the sources added, insisted it could not be forced into dialogue through "deadline threats."
Iranian media reported that Tehran rejected the temporary ceasefire, offering instead a plan that includes a permanent end to the war, a full halt to hostilities, protocols for safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, reconstruction, and the lifting of sanctions.
Trump told media that a deal is still possible but cautioned that Iran’s infrastructure could be “completely” destroyed if negotiations fail.
On Monday, Trump claimed that US forces could "take out" the entire nation of Iran in a single night.
"The entire country could be taken out in one night, and that night might be tomorrow (Tuesday) night," he told reporters, adding a deadline warning that by 8 p.m. EDT (0000 GMT Wednesday), every bridge and power plant in Iran would be "decimated" if no deal was reached.
Tensions in the Middle East have surged since a joint US-Israel offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, which has killed more than 1,340 people, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran has responded with drone and missile attacks on Israel, as well as on Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf states hosting US forces, causing casualties and infrastructure damage while disrupting global markets and aviation.
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