President Donald Trump is increasingly losing confidence in diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict with Iran and is now weighing a renewed military response, according to officials familiar with internal White House discussions.

Sources within the administration told CNN on Monday that frustration has mounted sharply in recent days as Iranian negotiators continue rejecting key American demands and offering what Trump views as unserious counteroffers. As a result, military planning has reportedly once again become a major focus inside the administration.

The latest escalation comes amid continued instability surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, which remains effectively closed despite a fragile ceasefire that has held for more than a month. The ongoing disruption to global shipping lanes, combined with divisions inside Iran’s leadership, has contributed to growing skepticism in Washington that a diplomatic breakthrough is possible.

Officials quoted in the report said Trump sees Tehran’s current posture not as strength, but as hesitation and internal confusion.

“They think I’ll get tired, or get bored, or I’ll have some pressure,” Trump told reporters on Monday. “There’s no pressure at all. We’re going to have a complete victory.”

According to the report, senior advisers remain divided over how aggressively to proceed. Some administration officials are pushing for a renewed wave of airstrikes under “Operation Epic Fury,” arguing that hitting the remaining strategic Iranian targets could force Tehran into accepting American terms.

Others inside the administration continue urging restraint and want additional time given to diplomacy. Still, doubts are reportedly growing over the effectiveness of Pakistani intermediaries involved in the negotiations. Some Trump advisers believe the Pakistanis may not be fully communicating the President’s anger and dissatisfaction to Iranian officials, instead softening the American position in discussions with the State Department.

CNN reported that Trump convened a high-level national security meeting on Monday to examine possible next steps if diplomacy collapses entirely. Among the options reportedly discussed were restarting “Project Freedom,” the naval operation designed to escort commercial vessels through the Persian Gulf, as well as potential special operations missions targeting Iran’s enriched uranium reserves.

Despite the increasingly hawkish tone, administration officials indicated that no final decision is expected before Trump departs Tuesday afternoon for his trip to China.

The CNN report followed an earlier report by Israel’s Channel 12 News stating that Trump is leaning toward authorizing some form of renewed military action because of mounting dissatisfaction with Iran’s conduct during negotiations.

Trump further escalated his rhetoric Monday after reviewing Tehran’s latest response to the American proposal aimed at ending the war.

“Iran’s proposal is stupid. I didn’t even finish reading it. I had an amazing plan after Iran was defeated. They must understand that they will not have nuclear weapons. They are dangerous,” Trump declared during an event at the White House.

He added that “the ceasefire is very weak after the piece of garbage they sent us.”

Iranian officials responded forcefully. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned Monday that Tehran stands prepared for any escalation.

“Mistaken strategy and mistaken decisions will always lead to mistaken results. The whole world has already figured this out,” he wrote in a post on social media.

“We are prepared for all options; they will be surprised,” added Ghalibaf.

In a subsequent statement, Ghalibaf insisted that Tehran’s proposal remains the only realistic framework for ending the conflict.

“There is no alternative but to accept the rights of the Iranian people as laid out in the 14-point proposal. Any other approach will be completely inconclusive; nothing but one failure after another,” he wrote.

“The longer they drag their feet, the more American taxpayers will pay for it,” stated Ghalibaf.

{Matzav.com}