U.S. President Donald Trump could order the resumption of war later this week if the diplomatic stalemate with Iran continues, Axios reports, citing sources, according to UNN.
Details
Some U.S. and Israeli officials believe that "President Trump could order the resumption of war later this week if the diplomatic deadlock continues."
Both U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine stated on Tuesday that "the U.S. military is ready to quickly resume the war if Trump gives the order."
Meanwhile, as the publication writes, citing a U.S. official and a knowledgeable source, a senior official in U.S. President Donald Trump's administration informed Iran on Sunday of an upcoming U.S. operation to "conduct" ships through the Strait of Hormuz and warned Tehran not to interfere.
The private message, the publication writes, indicates that the White House wanted to reduce the risk of potential escalation. But despite the warning, the Iranians launched a series of attacks on U.S. Navy ships, commercial vessels, and the United Arab Emirates.
On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine downplayed the significance of the Iranian attacks and stated that the ceasefire remains in effect.
The warning regarding "Project Freedom" was issued on Sunday and coincided with a post by Trump on Truth Social published that evening.
The U.S. operation did not significantly increase the flow of oil or cargo through the strait in the first 24 hours. CENTCOM reported that two U.S.-flagged vessels passed through the strait on Monday, and none on Tuesday.
Hegseth stated that "hundreds of others... are preparing for the transit." However, it appears that most shipping companies do not trust the administration's assurances that the path is now open. "We urge Iran to be cautious in its actions," Hegseth said.
There were no new Iranian attacks on vessels on Tuesday. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf wrote on X that Iran had managed to create a "new equation" with its retaliatory strikes on Monday.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that negotiations with the U.S., mediated by Pakistan, are "progressing." He urged the Trump administration not to allow "ill-wishers to drag it into the quagmire again."
Addendum
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on the night of May 6 that the U.S. is temporarily suspending the operation to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz to assess the possibility of reaching agreements with Iran.