Secretary of War Pete Hegseth presented Donald Trump with plans for an all-out attack on Iran at the President’s request. Trump was convinced by his advisers to allow negotiations to continue.
On Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine informed President Trump of battle plans to escalate the war against Iran in recent days. A US official told Axios on Thursday that Hegseth and Caine’s briefing came at the President’s request.
Officials speaking to both outlets said that Trump’s advisers persuaded the President to allow talks to continue.
Axios reported speaking with an official who said Trump is frustrated about Iran’s position on the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran insists that the Strait of Hormuz is joint Iranian and Omani waters, allowing the Islamic Republic to change shipping fees.
Washington’s position is that the Strait is an international waterway, and Tehran cannot change any tolls. Before the war, the Strait of Hormuz was treated as an international waterway. During the conflict, Iranian forces established control over the Strait. Tehran argues that, because the Strait is less than 24 miles wide, international law holds that the waterway lies within Oman’s and Iran’s territory.
US officials told Axios that the White House has drawn a red line on tolls in the Strait, and is prepared to walk away from negotiations with Iran if Tehran does not comply.
Sources told the outlet that President Trump agreed to a week-long pause in fighting on Sunday and suggested the war could resume after the 4th of July holiday.
