Washington (Rajeev Sharma): US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a major decision on Iran after returning from his strategic visit to China, with reports indicating that American defence officials are preparing military response options if diplomatic negotiations fail to break the current deadlock.
Sources familiar with the developments suggest that senior Pentagon officials have resumed planning for possible air operations against Iranian targets, should Washington decide to abandon the current diplomatic track.
The growing tensions come just after Trump wrapped up key meetings in Beijing with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where regional stability and Iran’s nuclear ambitions were among the central issues discussed.
Speaking to journalists while flying back to the United States, Trump brushed aside Iran’s latest peace outreach, indicating dissatisfaction with the proposal and signalling that Washington was not prepared to compromise on its key demands.
The ongoing standoff over the Strait of Hormuz remains a major concern for world powers. The strategic passage is critical for global oil transportation, and its disruption has caused sharp uncertainty in international energy markets.
Trump said both Washington and Beijing shared the view that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons and that the crucial waterway must remain open to global shipping. However, he clarified that he did not ask China to directly intervene with Tehran.
Military analysts say preparations by US and Israeli forces have intensified significantly in recent days. Regional intelligence assessments suggest that joint operational readiness has reached one of its highest levels since last month’s ceasefire, raising speculation about possible coordinated action if negotiations collapse.
Trump also described his interaction with Xi as highly productive, noting that the two leaders had candid discussions on both Iran and Taiwan.
According to diplomatic sources, Xi reiterated China’s concerns over Taiwan during private talks, warning that escalating tensions around the island could risk a direct clash between the two superpowers.
The developments place Trump at a crucial political and strategic crossroads as he balances pressure to project strength internationally while avoiding a broader military conflict that could reshape the global geopolitical landscape ahead of the US election cycle.
