Washington – President Donald Trump is weighing a final strike against Iran after receiving a briefing on potential military options, according to reports. The move comes as tensions remain high following a seven-week conflict that has failed to topple the Iranian theocracy or compel it to fully concede to Trump’s demands.
The President was scheduled to receive the briefing on Thursday, April 30, 2026, to discuss options for “striking Iran,” according to early reports. This follows a period of escalating rhetoric and military posturing between the two nations.
The United States military has reportedly developed three potential plans for attacking Iran, as revealed by the 工商時報. The conflict has already had a significant impact on global oil prices, which surged past $122 a barrel in response to the heightened instability.
Trump has attempted to portray the conflict as nearing a successful conclusion, claiming in a recent interview with Fox Business that Iran has a “new regime” that is “rational, relatively rational.” However, analysts suggest the war has instead strengthened the position of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a hardline military force central to Iranian politics and economics.
Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, the new Supreme Leader who succeeded his father early in the conflict, has not publicly appeared since assuming the role. His ascension, however, symbolizes a continuation of the existing power structure.
“At best, this is a leadership change,” said Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a hawkish think tank focused on Iran. “Those who support this war are describing it as a turn for the better, and that’s wrong.”
Despite Trump’s assertions that the Iranian navy, air force, and air defenses have been destroyed and numerous high-ranking officials killed, trade through the Strait of Hormuz has not returned to normal, and Iran has not yielded to demands regarding its nuclear program.
The President reiterated his claims in a Fox Business interview, stating that if Iran does not abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons, “we’ll be hitting them for a long time, but I don’t realize how long they can last.”
The development underscores growing regional tensions and the potential for further escalation. The conflict has also exposed what some analysts describe as Trump’s “Achilles’ heel” – the economic consequences of military action.
Trump recently posted a picture of himself holding a gun with a message directed at Iran, telling them to “wake up fast.” The move, reported by MoneyDJ理財網, signals a shift away from a more conciliatory approach.
Nuclear negotiations remain stalled, prompting Trump to share an AI-generated image of himself wielding a firearm as a warning to Iran, according to reports from Public Broadcasting System News (PNN). The image reflects the increasingly fraught diplomatic situation.
The situation is further complicated by reports that the Pentagon has drafted options for punishing NATO allies who have not supported a potential U.S. Military action against Iran. These options, as reported by Reuters, include suspending Spain’s NATO membership and reconsidering the U.S. Position on the United Kingdom’s claim to the Falkland Islands.
The announcement could influence future diplomatic talks and potentially strain relationships with key allies. The internal memo reportedly expresses dissatisfaction with allies who have not granted the U.S. Access, basing rights, and overflight permissions (ABO) for a potential operation against Iran.
