Trump Considers Renewed Full-Scale Military Action Against Iran but Opts for Diplomacy

In recent days, U.S. President Donald Trump has contemplated resuming a large-scale military offensive against Iran but has currently chosen to continue pursuing diplomatic efforts, according to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal on the night between Tuesday and Wednesday. Trump held consultations with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan McKenzie, during which the possibility of abandoning negotiations with Tehran and launching full-scale attacks was examined. Some participants described such a military move as "finishing the job." However, Trump believes that initiating another broad conflict could undermine diplomatic talks and reduce the chances of reaching an agreement to dismantle Iran's nuclear program.

The president has expressed willingness to extend negotiations beyond the August 18 deadline to allow both sides to exhaust the talks. Despite avoiding a full-scale war, Trump has not ruled out continuing targeted strikes if Iran violates the memorandum of understanding. This approach was evident last weekend when U.S. strikes in the Strait of Hormuz led to retaliatory exchanges with Iran.

Meanwhile, Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner traveled to Doha, Qatar, for another round of indirect talks with Iran through intermediaries. A key sticking point remains Iran's demand to collect transit fees from ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which the U.S. opposes, insisting on maintaining freedom of navigation as before recent tensions. Reports indicate that Iran's Revolutionary Guards warned Qatari mediators that Tehran might consider closing the strait again if Washington does not guarantee Iranian control. Iranian chief negotiator Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf declared that Iran is "ready for war" if the U.S. fails to meet its commitments in the talks.