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President Trump received a briefing from top military officials on potential strikes against Iran as a 60-day congressional deadline approaches. Options discussed include infrastructure attacks and operations in the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices rose to a four-year high following reports of the briefing.
citizen.co.zaPresident Trump received a briefing Thursday from Central Command Commander Admiral Brad Cooper and Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine on potential military options against Iran. According to reports citing U.S. officials, the session focused on contingency plans as the administration approaches a key 60-day deadline under the War Powers Resolution that falls on Friday.
Defense News and CNBC reported that military commanders were scheduled to present the options to the president before the statutory clock requires congressional authorization for continued operations.
The briefing occurred on the 63rd day since U.S. aerial bombardment began February 28 and hostilities were halted with a ceasefire on April 8. The Guardian reported that the Trump administration has stated hostilities in Iran have been “terminated” ahead of the war powers deadline.
The Hill noted that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has argued the 60-day clock stopped with the ceasefire.
Fox News and Axios reports cited in the source bundle described three distinct packages under discussion, including strikes on infrastructure, ground operations related to the Strait of Hormuz, and special forces actions involving Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile.
GB News reported preparations for possible first combat use of the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile system, which has a range of 2,700 kilometers and speeds up to Mach 5, with fewer than eight missiles currently available. Reuters reported that Iran has said it will retaliate if the U.S. resumes attacks.
Trump told interviewers the U.S. had already achieved victory in the conflict but wanted to win by a larger margin. He highlighted destruction of Iran’s navy, air force, anti-aircraft equipment, radar, and leadership. The president has said Iran is “dying to make a deal” and that he will not accept retention of their nuclear program or leave enriched uranium with Tehran.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei stated on state television that “the only place for Americans in the Persian Gulf is at the bottom of its waters,” according to France 24 and GB News reporting.
Diplomatic efforts, including talks in Pakistan, ended without a breakthrough. Iran has rejected further negotiations unless the U.S. lifts its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, while the administration has insisted on a nuclear deal first. The vessels’ operators involved in Hormuz-related actions have not been publicly identified by the U.S. government in the released materials.
No publicly released evidence has documented certain contested operational details in open sources.
Oil prices rose following reports of the briefing, with Brent crude reaching a four-year high. Bitcoin slid toward $75,000 and ether, solana, and xrp also dropped amid the oil price surge, according to CoinDesk. The S&P 500 finished April up 10.4 percent, its best month since November 2020.
Trump said he may pull U.S. troops from Italy and Spain due to their opposition to the war; as of December 31, 2025, there were 12,662 U.S. troops in Italy, 3,814 in Spain, and 36,436 in Germany. Hegseth faced questioning from lawmakers on the costs and conduct of the war.
A senior Democrat accused Hegseth of misleading Trump on the war. Bahrain revoked citizenship of dozens accused of pro-Iran sympathies.
theiranproject.comSyrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa stated that Iran gained the most from the recent conflict, describing the war as containing multiple mistakes in its objectives and formation.
nypost.comThe Yankees outfielder entered Sunday with the highest WAR among six position players who signed nine-figure contracts this offseason. He reached base twice and stole two bases in a 4-1 loss to the Reds.
middleeasteye.netIran fired missiles at Israel for the first time since the April ceasefire, hours after Israel struck Beirut’s Dahiyeh district. Alerts sounded across Tel Aviv as residents moved to shelters.