(Getty Images)
The top U.S. military commander in the Middle East briefed President Donald Trump on Thursday at the White House about potential military operations against Iran, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing U.S. officials and others with direct knowledge of the meeting.
Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, was joined by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, according to the Journal. Other Cabinet members attended the meeting, which also covered additional topics.
The briefing followed a Wednesday meeting at the White House between the military officers and Vice President JD Vance, one person told the Journal.
The meeting came as the administration weighs renewed major combat operations against Iran, potentially after Tuesday’s midterm elections. Trump administration officials have told Arab Gulf states to prepare for a short, intense military campaign after the elections, according to the Journal.
“We may do another little Epic Fury,” Trump said during an Oct. 23 midterm rally in Florida. “Or they’ll agree. If they are smart, they will just say let’s get down to business. I doubt they will do that. We did a number on them.”
The War Department has been laying the groundwork for a new bombing campaign in recent weeks, sending additional air defenses, munitions and supplies to the Middle East, according to the Journal. It also has moved some troops away from bases considered vulnerable to Iranian attacks.
The Army also is moving another Patriot missile battery to Israel to strengthen its air defenses, the Journal reported.
Iran has threatened publicly and through private diplomatic channels to attack U.S. and Gulf country targets in the region in retaliation for any American strike, according to the Journal. Tehran also has resumed ballistic missile production using stockpiled components in underground facilities and expanded efforts to target U.S. personnel in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Vance has reached out to Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, in an effort to revive peace negotiations, according to the Journal. Trump, however, characterized the outreach as an effort to facilitate medical supplies for Iran.
Some lawmakers have expressed alarm that the U.S. could soon escalate military operations against Iran.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Wednesday during an event organized by the Middle East Institute in Washington, D.C., that he had discussed plans for renewed military operations during a classified briefing.
“In one of these briefings, we did get the chance to have a fairly detailed conversation about what the war plan would be if we restarted military operations,” Murphy said. “You’ve heard a preview that it would be a short duration. I will just say this, their plan is insane.
“It will lead to devastating escalation and the likely destruction of our commitment to the rule of law.”
The Pentagon referred Newsmax to the White House for comment. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.