Military Options on the Table for U.S. Regarding Iran

General Michael “Eric” Kurilla, who leads the U.S. Central Command (Centcom), confirmed on Tuesday that he has presented President Trump and the Secretary of Defense with a variety of military options should nuclear talks with Iran not proceed as hoped.

“President Trump has made it very clear that if Iran doesn’t completely cease its nuclear enrichment, the U.S. might have to consider military action,” Kurilla stated during a session with the House Armed Services Committee.

“I provided the Secretary of Defense and the President with a range of options,” he added.

To that, Chairman Mike Rogers remarked, “I think that’s a ‘yes.'” Kurilla responded affirmatively, saying, “Yes.”

Trump remarked that Iran appears to be adopting a more aggressive stance in discussions about a potential nuclear deal. Just a day prior, he had noted the significant distance that remains between the two nations concerning Iran’s rapidly developing nuclear program, particularly regarding uranium enrichment.

“They’re asking for things that just aren’t feasible. They don’t want to concede on key points. They seek abundance, which we simply can’t allow,” he expressed.

“Honestly, it pains me to say this because the alternatives are extremely concerning,” he added.

Previously, Trump has cautioned that if diplomatic negotiations with Iran yield no positive results, military options may be necessary. So far, five rounds of discussions have taken place between the U.S. and Iran, with the latest round happening in Muscat, Oman.

In the coming days, Iran is expected to send a counterproposal to the U.S. through Omani mediators, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei. The U.S. proposal was crafted by Trump’s Middle Eastern envoy, Steve Witkoff, who is leading the negotiations. Meanwhile, Iran’s delegation is headed by Foreign Minister Abbas Aragut.

Baghaei labeled the U.S. proposal as “unacceptable.” He indicated that it did not reflect the outcomes of prior negotiations. “Once the discussions in Oman conclude, we will present our own proposal, which will be rational, logical, and balanced,” he stated.

The next round of talks is tentatively set for Friday or Sunday, possibly occurring in either Muscat or Oslo, Norway, according to U.S. officials. Baghaei confirmed that planning for this next round will likely take place on Sunday.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, holds ultimate decision-making authority on these matters. He critiqued the U.S. proposal last week but did not indicate a complete end to negotiations. Khamenei remarked that the U.S. offer “contradicts our beliefs in independence and our principle of self-sufficiency.”

“Uranium enrichment is essential to our nuclear ambitions, and it seems that the adversary is concentrating on that aspect,” he noted.