Trump has weighed return to full war in Iran, but prefers diplomatic push — report

US President Donald Trump has in recent days considered options for a return to full-scale war in Iran, but has not decided to move forward on the matter at this time, The Wall Street Journal reports.

According to the paper, Trump was briefed on various military options to “finish the job” by top defense officials, but has said he fears a renewed military conflict could harm the prospects of an eventual diplomatic solution and of dismantling the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.

The paper also says the American leader indicated a willingness to let the indirect negotiations in Qatar extend past the 60-day deadline on August 18.

It also says he is content with continuing to carry out limited strikes on Iranian targets if Tehran breaches the terms of the temporary deal currently in place, as has repeatedly taken place recently.

Iran yesterday said it would not meet with top US envoys who flew to the region, clouding the prospects for a deal. Iranian officials also said the two sides must still sort out the terms of a ceasefire they signed two weeks ago before they could tackle more difficult topics, such as possible limits to its nuclear program.

The developments indicated the two sides are far apart on key pillars of the initial framework, which calls for Iran to lift its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for financial incentives, and sets up 60 days of negotiations to work out a permanent peace deal.

Shipping has partially resumed through the strait, which handled one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas before the war broke out on February 28.

But Iranian officials say they have a right to manage traffic along with US ally Oman, which lies on the other side of the strategic waterway, and will impose tolls in mid-August when the 60-day period expires.

“The sovereignty of the Strait of Hormuz lies with Iran and Oman, and traffic in the Strait is subject to arrangements determined by Iran,” Iran’s top negotiator, Mohammed Baqer Qalibaf, said on state TV.

US Vice President JD Vance said Iran would be prevented from charging tolls through the international waterway, telling The Michael Knowles Show, “This is not going to end in a place where the Iranians are collecting tolls on ships going through the Strait of Hormuz.”