Axios: Trump Hesitant Between Continued Maximum Pressure and New Military Strikes

Axios reported on Tuesday, April 28, that U.S. President Donald Trump is weighing two options: launching new military strikes or continuing the “Maximum Pressure” policy to force Iran back to the negotiating table.

According to Axios, Trump’s senior advisers have recommended keeping the U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in place while also increasing economic pressure on Iran. Informed sources say this is currently the main option being considered amid the ongoing deadlock, ahead of immediate military action.

The report adds that tensions between Iran and the U.S. are entering a phase similar to a “Cold War,” marked by financial sanctions, ship seizures, and indirect negotiations. Some American officials are reportedly concerned that Washington could get stuck in a prolonged conflict that leads to neither war nor an agreement.

In such a situation, the U.S. would have to maintain its military presence in the region for months, while the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed and the naval blockade would continue. This could push global energy prices higher and raise the risk of a military conflict breaking out at any moment.

Citing sources close to the White House, Axios writes that Trump is deciding whether to launch a new military offensive or intensify “Maximum Pressure.” One adviser described him as “frustrated but realistic,” adding that he has no intention of backing down.

Meanwhile, some figures outside the administration, including Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, analyst Marc Thiessen, and retired General Jack Keane, have called for military action to break the current impasse.

Inside the administration, however, a group of senior advisers is pushing to maintain the naval blockade and increase sanctions. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the level of economic pressure on Iran is “unprecedented” and that there is still room for further escalation.

At the same time, Iran has proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the lifting of the naval blockade. However, informed sources say Trump is reluctant to accept the proposal because it could delay negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.

The White House has stressed that the President’s “red lines” regarding Iran are “perfectly clear.”

The report further notes that the U.S. imposed the naval blockade after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz and introduced tolls on tankers. U.S. forces are currently intercepting some ships carrying Iranian oil or forcing them to turn back, although a few have reportedly managed to pass through.

At the same time, the U.S. Treasury Department has imposed broader sanctions on financial institutions, shipping companies, and refineries. Trump administration officials believe these measures could severely restrict Iranian oil exports and put pressure on the country’s economy, though some analysts remain skeptical about whether the strategy will work.