Washington; Moscow: US President Donald Trump has met with his national security team to discuss whether to resume military operations against Iran, as Tehran ruled out negotiations with Washington until seven conditions are met.
Senior US officials confirmed to Fox News that key meetings took place at the White House on Wednesday and Thursday. The United States Central Command is also finalising preparations for a possible resumption of major operations in Iran, according to reports citing a US official. However, Washington has not yet issued formal directives.
Earlier on Thursday, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that Washington would soon make a decision on whether to escalate the conflict.
He questioned whether the United States should launch further strikes to ensure that Iran's nuclear programme is permanently dismantled.
“I would rather not destroy the rest of the country if possible, but maybe I will have to. You'll know soon enough,” Trump said.
He also suggested that rebuilding Iran could take 25 years and described the potential military action as a way to ensure the threat would not return.
The remarks marked a more hesitant tone compared with his earlier threats against Tehran, when he warned that US forces had yet to begin “destroying what's left” of Iran and referred to energy infrastructure and bridges as potential targets.
On 8 October, Trump said negotiations with Iran were progressing and ruled out military action before the US midterm elections scheduled for 3 November. That commitment has since expired following the vote.
The conflict has also created domestic political pressure for the administration, with elevated fuel costs and declining public approval cited as concerns ahead of the elections.
Fox News also reported that 9 November would bring a new moon in the region, resulting in minimal or no moonlight, an environmental condition considered advantageous for military operations.
Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi told Trump during a phone call on Thursday that Iraqi territory must not be used to launch attacks against neighbouring countries.
In a statement posted on X, the Iraqi Prime Minister's Office said: “Mr. Prime Minister affirmed Iraq's position calling for respect for the sovereignty of states, non-use of its territories as a launchpad for aggression against neighbouring countries.”
Iran's security chief, Major General Mohsen Rezaei, said Tehran would not negotiate with Washington over the conflict or the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz until the United States fulfilled seven conditions.
Rezaei made the remarks after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin Palace on Thursday. He had delivered a message from Ayatollah Sayyid Mojtaba Khamenei.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Rezaei said Putin had condemned the US and Israeli strikes against Iran, including attacks on its nuclear facilities.
“Russian President Vladimir Putin had forcefully condemned the US and Israel's military aggression against Iran, including the strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities,” Rezaei said.
“Until the Americans fulfil our seven conditions, neither will the Strait of Hormuz be opened, nor will there be any negotiations,” he added.
Iranian broadcaster Press TV, citing a source, also reported that Rezaei had said Tehran did not consider the diplomatic process worthwhile unless all seven conditions were implemented simultaneously.
Rezaei said Putin had offered to make every possible effort to end the conflict.
“Mr Putin said he will do everything he can to help bring the war to an end,” he said, according to Press TV.
The two sides also discussed energy cooperation, including plans for gas pipelines connecting Russia and Iran. Rezaei said the proposed pipelines would help Iran address domestic gas shortages and allow it to sell Russian gas to neighbouring countries.
The meeting came as the United States weighed the possibility of renewed military strikes against Iran following the US midterm elections.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held telephone conversations with his counterparts in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman as regional diplomatic efforts continued.