US President Donald Trump is “seriously considering” launching fresh strikes against Iran if last-minute negotiations do not result in a peace deal, US media outlet Axios reported. It said that Trump met with a senior national security team in the morning to discuss the war on Iran even as Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir visited Tehran and was joined by a delegation from Qatar in a last-minute bid to hammer out a deal.
President Trump convened a meeting with his senior national security team regarding the war with Iran on Friday morning, two US officials told Axios.
Trump is seriously considering launching new strikes against Iran barring a last-minute breakthrough in negotiations, sources who have spoken directly with the president say.
Munir is expected to meet on Saturday with Gen. Ahmad Vahidi, the commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and a key player in the Iranian decision-making process.
On Tuesday, he told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he wanted to give diplomacy another chance, but by Thursday night, he was leaning toward ordering a strike, the two sources told Axios.
Iran War Live Updates: Fuel Price Rises In India
Indian state-fuel retailers raised petrol and diesel prices by less than a rupee on Saturday, dealers said, the third such increase this month as the government looks to recover some losses from high crude prices caused by the Iran war.
Petrol in New Delhi will cost 0.87 rupees (just under 1 US cent) more at 99.51 rupees a litre, while diesel will be priced 0.91 rupees higher at 92.49 rupees per litre, dealers said.
Iran War Live Updates: Munir's Second Visit In Less Than A Month
Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir's second visit to Tehran in little more than a month comes after progress was reported in talks held by Naqvi, who has been in Iran since Wednesday, with top Iranian leadership, including twice with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to sources.
Field Marshal Munir will meet with important Iranian dignitaries and discuss the ongoing Iran-US talks, regional peace and stability, and other matters of mutual interest during the visit, sources said.
Iran War Live Updates: Asim Nunir Reaches Tehran
Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir reached Tehran for a crucial visit to expedite efforts for a deal between the US and Iran to end the war in the region, the army said.
According to a statement issued by the army, Field Marshal Munir's visit is "part of ongoing mediation efforts".
On arrival, he was received and warmly welcomed by Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni at the airport. Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was also present at the airport, according to the army.
Iran War Live Updates: Trump Weighs Decisive Iran Strike
Axios reported that US President Donald Trump is "seriously considering" launching fresh strikes against Iran if last-minute negotiations fail to produce a peace deal. A source close to Trump said the president has raised the possibility of a final "decisive" major military operation, after which he could declare victory and end the war.