Senior officials in US President Donald Trump’s administration are urging him to launch another round of military strikes against Iran before pursuing a diplomatic settlement, as divisions deepen within the White House following the Republican Party’s defeat in the midterm elections.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with internal discussions, that some administration officials favour renewed military action to strengthen Washington’s negotiating position and create an opportunity for Trump to end the conflict during the period before Democrats assume control of Congress in January.
Other senior officials, however, believe the president should abandon further escalation and move to end US military operations, reflecting growing disagreements over the administration’s strategy toward Tehran.
The internal debate has intensified following Tuesday’s midterm elections, in which Democrats secured control of both the Senate and House of Representatives, dealing a major political setback to Trump.
Vice President JD Vance has publicly questioned the administration’s handling of the conflict and blamed the war for contributing to Republican electoral losses.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, meanwhile, remains among the administration’s strongest advocates of continued military pressure against Iran.
The Pentagon has spent weeks preparing for the possibility of renewed large-scale combat operations, expanding its military presence in the Middle East and stockpiling substantial quantities of ammunition.
According to earlier Wall Street Journal reporting, a third aircraft carrier strike group and an additional Marine expeditionary unit are moving toward the region.
The deployments could add between 9,000 and 10,000 US troops to American forces already stationed in the Middle East.
The military preparations come amid uncertainty over Trump’s next move, with advisers weighing whether intensified strikes could force Tehran into negotiations or further prolong a conflict that has increasingly divided Washington.
Trump has not publicly announced a final decision on whether to resume major combat operations against Iran.
