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U.S. President Donald Trump is increasingly leaning toward expanding military action against Iran, though he has not yet made a final decision, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing U.S. officials.
According to the report, Trump has held several meetings with senior advisers to discuss options including additional airstrikes, strikes on energy infrastructure, an attack on a heavily fortified site linked to Iran's nuclear program, and the possible seizure of Iranian islands near the Strait of Hormuz.
Officials said a July 14 meeting in the White House Situation Room included Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine.
Despite considering military escalation, Trump continues to favor a diplomatic solution, officials said. However, negotiations have stalled after Tehran rejected U.S. demands to abandon its nuclear program.
Trump has asked advisers to develop new options that could pressure Iran into making concessions or halting attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Officials also stressed that Trump is not currently planning to deploy U.S. ground troops, noting that he has previously backed away from some of his more aggressive proposals.
