US President Donald Trump has indicated that he is nearing a decision on the next phase of Washington’s approach to Iran, as military tensions remain high and efforts to resolve the crisis have made little progress.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Trump said Iran had been severely weakened and would have to choose between what he described as the “easy way” and the “hard way”. He also reiterated that Tehran would not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. The comments come as the US continues its pressure campaign against Iran, while commercial shipping remains disrupted in the Strait of Hormuz.
Pentagon Keeps Military Options Open
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Pentagon was ensuring that Trump had a range of options available if Iran does not agree to Washington’s demands.
Hegseth declined to confirm whether the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group would be deployed to the Middle East. He said his responsibility was to provide the president with sufficient options to make decisions.
According to Hegseth, Iran is attempting to restore some of its military capabilities damaged by US strikes, although he claimed that the damage to its defence industry had slowed those efforts. The US has also maintained pressure around the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global energy shipments.
Another Oil Tanker Reportedly Hit
Despite Washington’s claim that its blockade is restricting Iranian activity in the waterway, commercial shipping has continued to face security risks.
Iranian state media reported that another oil tanker was struck in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. Fars News identified the vessel as the Ore Vinst and claimed it was travelling under US escort towards Oman when it came under attack.
The US has not yet responded to the report. The latest incident follows multiple attacks involving vessels travelling through the strategic waterway, adding to concerns over the impact of the conflict on international energy supplies.
US Steps Up Economic Pressure
Washington is also attempting to squeeze Iran economically by restricting its ability to generate revenue from oil exports. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Iranian oil shipments at sea would be halted and argued that the blockade was cutting off an important source of income for Tehran.
Bessent described the US campaign as having moved from military action to a blockade and now towards wider economic isolation. The White House has also claimed that Iranian oil exports have effectively been halted and pointed to reports of extremely high inflation in Iran.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, however, has rejected the US assessment that the pressure campaign is achieving its objectives. He said Tehran had adopted new measures to deal with the worsening economic situation and accused its adversaries of attempting to put pressure on the Iranian population.
Is Diplomacy Still Possible?
Despite the escalation, diplomatic contacts between Washington and Tehran have not completely disappeared. An Iranian newspaper close to the country’s chief negotiator reported that Tehran was examining a US proposal delivered through Qatar. The proposal reportedly includes a framework and timetable for possible future negotiations.
Iran is seeking commitments from Washington, including sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian funds, while maintaining its existing demands. Previous discussions in New York failed to produce an agreement, leaving major differences over the conditions for ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
For now, Trump is presenting Iran with a choice between accepting a negotiated settlement under mounting pressure or facing further military and economic measures.
