A defiant Iran leaves Trump with few options
Key takeaways
- WASHINGTON — More than 60 days into his war with Iran, well past public deadlines he had set for its end, President Trump sat through a briefing from U.S.
- On offer Thursday were unpalatable choices for a president eager to move on from the conflict he started.
- A legal deadline for congressional authorization arrived Friday that threatens to increase pressure on the administration — and underscore lagging support for the most unpopular U.S. war in modern times.
People wave Iranian flags at the Imam Khomeini grand mosque in Tehran in January. They were commemorating the anniversary of the 2020 death of Maj. Gen. Qassem Suleimani, who commanded Iran’s Quds force. He was killed in a U.S. drone attack. (Vahid Salemi / Associated Press) By Michael Wilner Washington Bureau Chief Follow May 2, 2026 3 AM PT 6 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X Linked In Threads Reddit Whats App Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
WASHINGTON — More than 60 days into his war with Iran, well past public deadlines he had set for its end, President Trump sat through a briefing from U.S. Central Command outlining yet another set of options for a fresh round of strikes.
On offer Thursday were unpalatable choices for a president eager to move on from the conflict he started. Renewed U.S. attacks risk inflaming the war beyond Trump’s control, undermining a fragile ceasefire for which American allies fought hard. But the very need for such a briefing underscored how difficult a position the president has found himself in.