President Donald Trump is reportedly growing increasingly skeptical that negotiations with Iran can produce a lasting agreement, with senior administration officials telling The Wall Street Journal that the White House now believes sustained military pressure may be the only way to change Tehran's position. The shift comes as reports indicate Iran has rejected a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal and regional tensions continue to escalate.
According to The Wall Street Journal, officials familiar with internal discussions said Trump has entered what they described as "revenge mode," believing additional escalation is necessary after diplomatic efforts failed to produce meaningful progress. The report said the president expressed mounting frustration during a recent Oval Office meeting, referring to Iranian leaders as "scumbags" and "lunatics."
New developments in diplomacy have reinforced that outlook. The New York Times reported that Iran rejected a ceasefire proposal delivered through Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi after his visit to Washington earlier this month. According to the report, Tehran dismissed the proposal because it did not address the future status of the Strait of Hormuz, an issue that has become central to the current conflict.
Trump also indicated publicly that military options remain under consideration. In an interview with Axios on Thursday, the president said, "I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it."
The president also suggested he believes Iran has not yet reached the point where it is prepared to compromise. According to Axios, Trump said Tehran wants negotiations but has not "received enough pain yet."
The latest developments follow Trump's earlier warning that the United States would respond if Yemen's Houthi movement launched additional attacks on vessels transiting the Red Sea. The Houthis recently claimed responsibility for strikes on tankers carrying Saudi oil, adding another source of instability to regional shipping routes.
According to CNBC, Saudi Arabia has been diverting millions of barrels of oil each day from the Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea because of the conflict. Disruptions to those alternative shipping routes have further complicated energy exports and contributed to volatility in global oil markets.
Reuters also reported that Iran has expanded its support for the Houthis. Citing sources, the news agency said Tehran flew military commanders and equipment to Yemen on July 13, including at least 10 members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. One source told Reuters, "The IRGC commanders travelled there to support Houthi operations and provide training on new missile systems," adding that the flight also carried gold intended to finance the group's activities.
The reports from The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Axios, CNBC and Reuters collectively point to a rapidly evolving confrontation in which diplomatic efforts remain stalled while military and economic pressures continue to increase. Although negotiations have not formally ended, recent statements from the White House and reported decisions in Tehran suggest both sides remain far apart on the conditions required for any future agreement.
