CENTCOM chief briefs Trump on Iran strike options

Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, briefed President Donald Trump on military options for Iran during a rare in-person meeting at the White House on Thursday, Oct. 29, according to The Wall Street Journal News Corp ↗ 2.27%. The meeting comes as the administration weighs whether to resume major combat operations. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also attended, the Journal reported, citing U.S. officials and people familiar with the discussions. Some participants said other Cabinet members were present and that the meeting covered more than Iran.wsj.com

On Wednesday, Oct. 28, a day before the briefing, military officers met at the White House with Vice President JD Vance, one source told the Journal, according to Ynetnews. Reuters could not immediately verify the report independently, the Times of Israel noted.ynetnews.com+1

Forces in position

The briefing follows reports that the military is getting ready to act if ordered. CNN reported on Oct. 26 that U.S. forces in the region could launch new and possibly large operations against Iran "within 96 hours of receiving" an order from Trump. The network said planners have built a broad target list that includes energy infrastructure, military sites and nuclear facilities. Officials told CNN that Trump had not decided but seemed to be leaning toward major action.wsvn.com

The Journal had earlier reported that Washington told several Gulf Arab states to prepare for a short, intense campaign after the midterm elections. It also reported that an additional carrier strike group was being repositioned and that a Patriot battery was being moved to Israel, Fox News ↘ 0.43% noted. Sources told Fox that the moves are meant to give the president options and do not signal a decision. Trump has called off major strikes six times since July.foxnews.com

Deal or "finish them off"

Trump has said he will not strike Iran before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, CBS News reported. Over the weekend, he said he was deciding between a deal with Tehran and action to "finish them off." He also suggested Washington "may do another little Epic Fury," a reference to the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran earlier this year.cbsnews.com

Diplomacy is moving forward at the same time. Vance has been in contact with a senior Iranian hard-liner to try to restart negotiations, Investing.com reported, citing the Journal. Meanwhile, Cooper toured the Strait of Hormuz on Oct. 25, where U.S. forces are enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports. "We continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Gulf partners and the shipping industry," he said, according to The National.ca.investing.com+1