Top U.S. Middle East commander briefs Trump on Iran blockade
Summary
U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper briefed President Donald Trump on the Iran conflict, including the naval blockade, efforts to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz and economic pressure on Iran. The briefing came as regional mediators seek to restart U.S.-Iran negotiations, while Iranian officials say the U.S. must take several steps before talks resume.Key Facts
- Two U.S. officials said Cooper briefed Trump on Thursday about the blockade and the state of the conflict.
- Cooper also discussed a military operation to guide oil tankers out of the Strait of Hormuz and an economic pressure campaign coordinated with the Treasury Department.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff attended, according to the officials.
- Qatar-led regional mediators are working to prevent a resumption of fighting after the U.S. midterm elections and promote negotiations, a regional source said.
- Vice President JD Vance proposed restarting talks in a letter delivered to Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, according to the article.
- A source said Trump and Vance discussed sending humanitarian goods to Iran; Trump later publicly supported the idea.
- U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said the United States and Iran were close to an agreement to reduce tensions.
- Iranian officials said the U.S. should lift the blockade, release frozen Iranian funds and allow Iran to sell oil before nuclear negotiations resume.
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