Washington: Even as the United States continued its military campaign against Iran for the 13th consecutive night, US President Donald Trump indicated that Washington is exploring both military and diplomatic options to end the conflict. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said his administration remains in communication with Tehran while reserving the option of intensifying military operations if negotiations fail.
Addressing reporters, the President said the United States has two possible approaches: maintaining or escalating the current military offensive, or reaching a negotiated settlement with Iran. According to Trump, the latter would be the preferred outcome, although he suggested Tehran had not yet reached the point of making a final commitment.
“We are talking to them,” Trump said, adding that discussions are ongoing even as military strikes continue. He remarked that Iran appears to be showing increasing seriousness about negotiations but stressed that the US remains fully prepared to expand its military campaign if required.
Trump also dismissed suggestions that political timelines or electoral considerations were influencing his decisions, saying there was no urgency to conclude the conflict without ensuring the outcome served American interests.
When asked who within his administration was leading the negotiations, Trump declined to identify a single individual, describing the diplomatic effort as a coordinated initiative involving multiple senior officials.
The remarks came shortly after the US Central Command confirmed another round of coordinated strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure. According to CENTCOM, the latest operation focused on command facilities, drone storage sites, surveillance systems, communications networks, and maritime assets used by Iranian forces.
The US military also highlighted ongoing operational readiness in the region, releasing details of training exercises involving Marine Corps personnel and High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), reinforcing Washington’s preparedness for further escalation if necessary.
Iran responded with fresh military action under what it described as the latest phase of “Operation Lightning.” Iranian state media reported that drone attacks were launched against US military installations in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, signalling that Tehran remains determined to widen its retaliatory campaign despite sustained American bombardment.
The continued exchange of attacks has further heightened concerns over regional stability, with both sides showing little sign of stepping back even as diplomatic channels remain open. Analysts believe the coming days will be crucial in determining whether negotiations can gain momentum or whether the conflict will move toward a more dangerous phase of escalation.
