U.S President Trump Pushes Iran to Negotiating Table While Military Options Remain on the Table

U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed Friday that talks with Iran are ongoing, with further negotiations planned, even as the administration evaluates a wide range of military options. The confirmation comes amid rising tensions over Iran’s nuclear program, its regional activities, and its crackdown on domestic protests.

Trump emphasized that the United States has delivered two central demands to Tehran: an immediate halt to nuclear weapons development and a stop to the killing of protesters. “Two weeks ago I stopped 837 executions by hanging,” Trump said. “But they will have to do something.”

While Trump stressed diplomacy, officials indicate that the president is keeping military measures in reserve, using them as leverage to strengthen the U.S. negotiating position.

Expanded Military Scenarios Under Review

According to the New York Times, senior U.S. officials recently presented Trump with a variety of military options, ranging from precision strikes on nuclear and missile facilities to targeted raids inside Iranian territory. These options go beyond earlier proposals, which focused mainly on halting executions and human rights abuses.

Sources emphasize that Trump has not yet authorized any military action. The administration is weighing the feasibility of “regime change” as a long-term option, though the primary strategy remains to compel Iran to comply with U.S. demands through pressure and diplomacy.

Iran’s Regional Influence in Focus

In addition to nuclear concerns, Trump is pressing Iran to end its support for proxy groups operating against Israel and destabilizing the Middle East. A White House spokeswoman said, “As commander-in-chief of the world’s most powerful military, President Trump has many options. The president hopes no action will be necessary, but the Iranian regime must reach an agreement before it is too late.”

Iran’s activities in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, coupled with its missile program, remain major points of contention for the U.S. and Israel. Officials note that Trump is balancing the desire to avoid open conflict with the need to deter Iran from further regional aggression.

Protests in Iran Drive U.S. Pressure

Recent weeks have seen a wave of protests across Iran, which have been met with violent suppression by Revolutionary Guard units. U.S. officials say that Trump considered strikes against these units to halt the crackdown. However, military action was postponed after Iranian authorities announced the cancellation of hundreds of planned executions and following appeals from Israel and Arab states to delay any attack.

This approach mirrors past U.S. campaigns in Venezuela, where military readiness and pressure were used to push for political concessions without immediately resorting to combat. Trump appears to be applying a similar “pressure-first” strategy in Iran.

Diplomacy vs. Military Action

While military options remain on the table, the administration continues to pursue diplomacy, hoping to reach an agreement before escalation becomes unavoidable. Sources indicate that the threats of force are deliberately visible, signaling to Iran that the United States is prepared to act if negotiations fail.

Experts warn that the stakes are high: a misstep could spark a regional conflict involving Israel, Gulf states, and Iran’s proxy networks. At the same time, a successful diplomatic resolution could prevent military escalation and reduce tensions over the nuclear program and human rights abuses.

Global Implications

Trump’s Iran strategy highlights the complex balancing act between diplomacy, military readiness, and international pressure. The outcome will affect not only U.S.-Iran relations but also regional stability, Israel’s security, and global energy markets.

As negotiations continue, the world watches closely to see whether Iran will comply with U.S. demands or if the threat of military action will escalate into open confrontation.