US President Donald Trump convened a high-level Situation Room meeting on Tuesday to discuss expanding military operations against Iran beyond the ongoing campaign in and around the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by Axios citing three sources familiar with the discussions.
The meeting reportedly examined plans for potential strikes on strategic targets inside Iran, signaling that the White House is considering widening its military campaign as pressure mounts on Tehran.
Trump was joined by key members of his national security team, including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and White House envoy Steve Witkoff.
US Considering Wider Military Action
According to the report, the discussions focused on expanding the scope of US operations beyond the current strikes targeting military assets around the Strait of Hormuz. The move is seen as part of Washington’s efforts to pressure Iran into reopening the vital shipping route and returning to negotiations over its nuclear programme.
The Situation Room meeting came as the US military carried out strikes for a fourth consecutive day, targeting Iranian air defence systems, radar installations, anti-ship missile sites and drone launch facilities along Iran’s southern coastline and near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran Warns of Wider Impact on Regional Energy Exports
Amid the escalating confrontation, Iran’s armed forces issued a fresh warning over energy exports from the region.
According to Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB, the military said oil and gas exports from West Asia would be “either for everyone or for no one,” suggesting that additional export routes could also be disrupted if hostilities continue.
Iran also retaliated by launching missiles and drones at US military bases in Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain, even as a US naval blockade targeting Iranian ports came into effect on Tuesday afternoon.
Trump Signals Tougher Measures
Speaking to Fox News ahead of the Situation Room meeting, Trump warned that US military operations could intensify unless Iran agrees to negotiate.
“Next week, it gets really bad for them because next week comes the power plants. Next week comes the bridges. We’re gonna knock out all their power plants. We’re gonna knock out all their bridges unless they get to the table and negotiate,” he said.
The remarks indicate that Washington may be prepared to target critical infrastructure if diplomatic efforts fail.
Focus on Alleged Nuclear Site
Trump also said the United States is closely monitoring activity at Pickaxe Mountain, an underground facility that Washington and Israel believe is linked to Iran’s nuclear programme.
He noted that the US possesses bunker-busting munitions capable of striking deeply fortified sites, while acknowledging that it remains unclear whether the underground complex can withstand such weapons.
The latest developments underscore the rapidly escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, raising concerns over regional stability, global energy supplies and the possibility of a broader conflict across the Middle East.