Axios reports divisions over negotiations and further strikes
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are highly skeptical that a nuclear agreement can be reached with Iran, according to Axios. They believe Trump’s legacy should be to further weaken Iran, including through additional strikes.
Vice President JD Vance and special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner favor resuming negotiations. Trump remains skeptical that Iran will accept a deal he considers acceptable.
A U.S. official told Axios that Trump could be more inclined to order a major military operation if Republicans “lose badly” in the midterm elections, adding that “the Iranians’ best shot to get a deal is right now”. A White House official, however, said the election results will not factor into Trump’s decision-making on Iran.
Iran threatens retaliation beyond the region
Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has ordered the armed forces to respond immediately to any “enemy threat”, without geographical restrictions. He also instructed commanders to bring all U.S. and Israeli assets within range, warning that if Iran is attacked again, it will “determine the timing and conditions for ending them”.
The Iranian Army said:
“In the event of a new war, the geographical scope of the conflict will not be limited to the West Asian region”.
A senior Iranian security official told CNN that regional artificial intelligence infrastructure is now on Iran’s list of potential retaliation targets. The official warned that the next conflict would be a prolonged “war of surprises”.
Pakistan voices cautious optimism over mediation
A Pakistani Army spokesperson said:
“The army is cautiously optimistic about mediation between Iran and the US. The army warns of powerful parties seeking to obstruct mediation between Iran and the US”.
The spokesperson also said:
“There is no objection to Iran joining the Mecca Agreement, and the decision rests with the parties involved”.
Reported U.S. strikes target missile launch sites
The U.S. has been carrying out “self-defense strikes” against Iranian missile launch sites across southern Iran over the past two weeks, according to Axios.
Unofficial Iranian sources, including regime supporters and opposition sources, reported two targeted American strikes overnight near Qeshm Island and the Jasak port area. The reported purpose was to thwart launchers threatening vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. There was no official confirmation.
According to Abu Ali Express’s assessment, if the strikes occurred, Washington would have an interest in withholding official responsibility at that time because Qatari mediators were in Tehran.
Iran’s Fars News Agency reported that at least two Iranian fishermen were injured in an “enemy” drone attack on two fishing boats south of Qeshm Island.
