Trump says Iran decision will come ‘soon’
U.S. President Trump met with his top national security advisers on Iran on Thursday for the first time since the election, during his weekly intelligence briefing, Axios reported.
Afterward, Trump said he would ‘soon’ decide whether to resume all-out war in Iran. His options include renewed military action, continued economic pressure or pursuing a diplomatic agreement.
NBC reported that some advisers have told Trump the opportunity to resume fighting is diminishing. He has not decided whether to restart large-scale military operations against Iran.
According to Fox News, senior American officials have identified November 9 as a potentially favorable date for military operations because it coincides with a new moon in the Middle East. The report described the resulting little to no moonlight as favorable conditions for military operations.
Trump also said:
“Israel and, in fact, the entire Middle East, would not exist today if I did not stop Iran from having a nuclear weapon. Nobody wants to say that, but everybody knows it is true!”
Vance leads efforts toward a new ceasefire
U.S. Vice President JD Vance has held near-daily talks with Pakistani and Qatari mediators and proposed resuming direct negotiations with Tehran, Axios reported. He is leading behind-the-scenes efforts to secure a new ceasefire and restart nuclear negotiations.
Trump is allowing diplomacy to continue, with U.S. forces remaining prepared for renewed strikes. Progress has been slow, according to Axios.
Qatar is mediating a proposal under which Washington would lift its naval blockade, release Iranian funds and allow the Strait of Hormuz to reopen in exchange for renewed nuclear inspections and negotiations, Axios reported.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, with Trump’s backing, has also asked China to use its influence over Iran to help end the war. Beijing has conveyed the message to Tehran, according to The Washington Post.
Iraq restricts airspace and warns of renewed war
Iraq has issued an aviation notice, or NOTAM, imposing airspace restrictions due to ‘military activity’. The restrictions apply November 7–11, daily from 0500 to 1100 UTC.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said:
“Washington has officially requested the closure of all our border crossings with Iran except for two”.
He also said:
“We have information that foreign parties are using Iraqi territory to attack neighboring countries”.
Hussein warned:
“Current circumstances indicate the possibility of renewed war in the region”.
CENTCOM reports disabling a cargo vessel off Iran
CENTCOM said its forces disabled a St. Kitts-flagged cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman on November 7 after the ship ‘repeatedly ignored warnings and attempted to breach the naval blockade against Iran’.
According to CENTCOM, a U.S. military aircraft struck the vessel’s stern with precision-guided munitions after the crew was ordered to evacuate the targeted areas.
Separately, Hussein said:
“We lost about $60 billion due to the halt in oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz. We have resumed oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz following understandings with Washington and Tehran”.
