US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that the war in Iran has not received the support he expected and that his administration is considering other options, although the possibility of renewed military intervention remains on the table. As clashes between the sides continue, with limited attacks and Iranian strikes against oil tankers, Washington is also exploring a diplomatic path. In this context, meetings with Qatari mediators are expected to take place at the White House.
Alongside diplomatic efforts, the Pentagon and US intelligence agencies are preparing additional measures to increase pressure on Tehran. US Central Command has announced a plan to impose a land blockade on Iran, known as “Iron Gate”. The project is being directed by around 20 officers in Tampa, Florida, and aims to monitor and disrupt the supply of weapons and other materials to Iran through its land borders and the Caspian Sea.
However, implementing the plan presents major challenges. For it to work, it would require the full cooperation of Iran’s neighbouring countries, which have an interest in maintaining relations and communication with Tehran. Some of the areas where authorities would need to operate have no US presence, others face armed conflicts, such as the Balochistan region, while some are controlled by US adversaries, including the Taliban.
Another obstacle is the Caspian Sea, which, according to reports, Russia uses to transport military equipment and materials to Iran, including drones and missile components. These shipments have previously been reported by American and Ukrainian media. To disrupt this supply route, Washington would have to confront Moscow directly — a potentially difficult step given the relationship between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Another initiative by the US administration is a $20 million reward for information about Iran’s nuclear programme. Meanwhile, Trump is considering several options for continuing military operations. One would involve resuming a large-scale offensive, with strikes against military bases and nuclear targets, including the facility at Mount Pickaxe. Another option would be a more limited intervention focused on Iranian infrastructure.
However, a new attack would come at a high cost. The cost of the war is estimated to have reached $47 billion so far, while the US Congress has not approved any additional funding. Analysts also warn that there is no guarantee a renewed offensive would achieve its intended objectives. For this reason, one alternative under consideration is to increase economic pressure on Iran, with the “Iron Gate” land blockade potentially playing a significant role. However, US intelligence assessments suggest that Tehran has built up substantial reserves that could help it withstand the restrictions.
At the same time, diplomacy remains an option despite the firm positions adopted by both sides. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has described Iran’s conditions for reaching an agreement as ridiculous and unacceptable. Tehran, meanwhile, has not abandoned its demand for what it considers a fair and dignified settlement.
Iranian authorities are also calling for a new order in the Persian Gulf and seeking to preserve their role in the Strait of Hormuz. They have warned that another war could have serious consequences and that Iran’s response would extend beyond the region. Against this backdrop, French authorities have launched an investigation into a group linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, “Shahid Kaveh”, suspected of carrying out cyberattacks against supermarkets.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has also signalled the need to move beyond the current state of uncertainty between war and peace. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared in public for some time, has called for an end to the situation.
According to analysts, Tehran is concerned that Washington may pursue a prolonged pressure strategy, alternating limited military strikes with attempts to negotiate. Such a scenario would leave Iran in a state of constant uncertainty. As The New York Times also observes, finding a way out of this situation could require time and patience — an approach that, according to the newspaper’s analysis, does not align with the way Trump has operated so far.
