In a related context, Trump, according to the same newspaper, pointed out that the indirect talks between Washington and Tehran, mediated by Pakistan, are “going extremely well,” and said it is possible to reach a ceasefire “relatively quickly.”

He remarked that “Iran has responded to most of the 15 points of the agreement terms,” explaining that the U.S. military “eliminated and destroyed many of the Iranian targets we have long sought.”

On the other hand, the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump is considering military options, including a mission to extract enriched Iranian uranium — which may amount to about 450 kg (roughly 1,000 pounds) — and that he has asked his advisors to intensify pressure on Iran to agree to hand over this uranium as a condition for ending the war.

The newspaper also pointed out that the U.S. administration is assessing the risks that American troops might face if a ground operation were to be conducted inside Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump. (AFP)

For its part, the New York Times reported that the U.S. military reinforcements in the region aim to provide Trump with broader options to expand the scope of the war with Iran, revealing that the number of deployed U.S. troops has exceeded 50,000 soldiers. It explained that the Pentagon sent about 2,000 additional soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East. 

The newspaper also cited experts’ warnings that this number of troops is not sufficient to conduct a large‑scale ground operation inside Iran, noting that the options available to Washington include protecting navigation in the Strait of Hormuz or targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. It pointed out that U.S. special forces have not yet been assigned specific missions in the region.