On Tuesday, President Donald Trump convened a meeting in the White House Situation Room to discuss an expanded phase of military action targeting Iran. According to sources familiar with the meeting, this new phase will be more extensive than previous operations conducted in the Strait of Hormuz.
This gathering took place as U.S. Armed Forces completed their fourth consecutive day of operations around the Strait and the southern coast of Iran.
The airstrikes have primarily targeted air defense systems, radar installations, anti-ship missile positions, and drone launch platforms. The objective has been to significantly diminish Iran's capability to threaten maritime traffic in one of the world's key energy corridors.
In response, Tehran has continued to launch missiles and drones against U.S. military bases located in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain, escalating regional tensions, according to Axios reports.
The same day, a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports went into effect. Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), stated that Iran has intentionally attacked commercial vessels in recent days, resulting in civilian casualties and missing crew members.
Despite these hostilities, U.S. officials reported that approximately 300 ships successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz with the assistance of American naval forces.
Attendees at the meeting included Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, among other senior officials.
Before the meeting, Trump stated in a Fox News interview that the military campaign would intensify in the coming days. He warned that if Iran refuses to negotiate its nuclear program, the U.S. would expand attacks on the country's strategic infrastructure.
He also confirmed that Washington is closely monitoring the underground facility at Pickaxe Mountain, a site that the U.S. and Israel suspect is linked to Iran's nuclear ambitions.
Trump asserted that if significant activity is detected at this location, "we will strike it hard," emphasizing that U.S. negotiators have communicated to Tehran the necessity of reaching an agreement to prevent further conflict escalation.
Key Developments in U.S.-Iran Tensions
What actions has the U.S. taken against Iran recently?
The U.S. has conducted airstrikes targeting Iran's air defense systems, radar installations, anti-ship missile positions, and drone launch platforms in the Strait of Hormuz and southern Iran's coast.
How has Iran responded to U.S. military actions?
Iran has retaliated by launching missiles and drones against U.S. military bases in Jordan, Kuwait, and Bahrain, intensifying tensions in the region.
What is the significance of Pickaxe Mountain?
Pickaxe Mountain is an underground facility suspected by the U.S. and Israel to be linked to Iran's nuclear program. The U.S. has stated it will strike if significant activity is detected there.