US President Donald Trump exits Air Force One as it arrives at Miami International Airport in Florida, US on April 11, 2026.
Kevin Lamarck | reuters
President Donald Trump is set to receive a briefing on Thursday from US Central Command Adm. Brad Cooper and other military leaders on possible strikes in Iran. Axios And reuters Reports were made throughout the night.
The reported briefing comes on the eve of a key deadline in the war: a 60 day legal timer Trump is required to withdraw US armed forces unless Congress authorizes military action, which he has not done.
It also comes as a test-fire ceasefire has so far failed to lead to a peace deal between Washington and Tehran. Instead each of them has focused on inflicting economic pain through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil trade, trying to bring the other to heel.
But their efforts – Iran’s de facto blockade of ship traffic through the strait, and the US’s retaliatory naval blockade of Iranian ports – have resulted in a stalemate.
CENTCOM has drawn up plans for a “small and powerful” wave of strikes intended to break the impasse and force Iran to be more flexible towards its demands. Axios reported Wednesday.
According to Axios, other options being discussed include launching a special forces operation to ensure Iran’s supply of highly enriched uranium or taking action to gain greater US control over the strait.
The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment on the reported briefing. CENTCOM declined to comment.
The blockage in the strait, which began when Iran began threatening ships after the US and Israel launched the war on February 28, has dealt a blow to global oil supplies, sending prices soaring.
Iran has rejected further talks until the US blockade is lifted, but Trump has said he will not do so unless Tehran agrees to a deal on its nuclear ambitions.
At the White House on Wednesday, Trump claimed the blockade is “fantastic” and that Iran’s economy is “really in crisis.”
He said, “Now they have to cry, uncle, that’s all they have to do. Just say, ‘We give up.’
He previously claimed that Iran’s oil infrastructure was going to “explode” within days due to the blockade preventing crude oil exports. But experts told CNBC that Iran has weeks and possibly months before its oil reserves become unsustainable.
That may be longer than Trump — whose economic approval ratings have hit new lows amid the war — is willing to last.
This is developing news. Please check back for updates.