Trump weighs escalation or negotiations as Tuesday deadline for Iran looms

WASHINGTON, United States (MNTV) – President Donald Trump is weighing whether to escalate military strikes on Iran by targeting key infrastructure or allow more time for negotiations, with a potential decision expected by Tuesday evening, Axios reported, citing U.S. officials.

“If the president sees a deal is coming together, he’ll probably hold off. But only he and he alone makes that decision,” a senior administration official told Axios. A defense official expressed skepticism that there would be any further extension.

Axios reported that Trump has taken a more hawkish stance than some of his advisers, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, while his negotiating team including Vice President JD Vance believes he “should try to get a deal now if possible.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and some U.S. allies have urged against a ceasefire without significant concessions from Iran.

A U.S. official told Axios that Iran sent a 10-point response to the war-ending proposal, describing it as “maximalist” and saying it was unclear whether it would allow diplomacy to move forward.

The ceasefire proposal, according to Pakistani sources, includes an immediate halt to hostilities, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a two-to-three-week window to finalize a broader settlement and subsequent in-person talks in Islamabad. Tehran said it could not be forced into dialogue through “deadline threats.”

Trump on Monday claimed U.S. forces could “take out” the entire nation of Iran in a single night, warning that “every bridge and power plant” would be “decimated” by Tuesday at 8 p.m. EDT if no deal was reached.

The conflict has killed more than 1,340 people since it began February 28, including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.