Trump Considers Continuing Attacks After Rejecting Iran's Proposal
US President Donald Trump is considering continuing attacks on Iran after rejecting a proposal submitted by Tehran recently, which he described as a “foolish” proposal.
Several unnamed US officials, as reported by Al Arabiya on Tuesday (12/5/2026), revealed that Trump held a high-level meeting with his national security team on Monday (11/5) afternoon local time.
The meeting reportedly discussed potential attack options against Iran following the ceasefire implemented in recent weeks, which halted most attacks between Washington and Tehran.
The US military has struck Iranian military assets in recent days, after accusing Tehran of threatening American ships.
The Monday (11/5) meeting is estimated to have been attended by US Vice President JD Vance, US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine are also estimated to have been present.
Several US officials, quoted by Axios media, indicated that Trump is reconsidering military action against Iran to force concessions regarding the country’s nuclear programme.
Two of these US officials told Axios that Trump is inclined to take “some form of military action against Iran to increase pressure on the regime and force concessions on its nuclear programme”.
Regarding the potential for further attacks on Iran, one of the Axios officials said that Trump would “slightly increase its intensity”.
This latest situation emerged after last week Trump expressed optimism for reaching an agreement with Iran. However, after studying Tehran’s response to the US peace plan, conveyed through Pakistani mediators, Trump stated that the ceasefire is now in a “critical condition”.
Trump is scheduled to visit China after postponing his trip earlier this year due to the Iran war. On Monday (11/5), the US President said that he would discuss the Iran war in meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House on the same day, Trump said that what is referred to as Iran’s “nuclear dust” can only be taken by China or the US, as only those two countries have the capability to do so.