President Trump convened a White House Situation Room meeting on Saturday morning to discuss the renewed crisis around the Strait of Hormuz and negotiations with Iran, according to two U.S. officials.
Why it matters: The situation with Iran is at a critical point, with the ceasefire expected to expire in three days, and no final date set for a new meeting between U.S. and Iranian negotiators.
- Iran's Saturday announcement about the renewed closure of the Strait, as well as multiple attacks by Iran on several vessels in the waterway, came less than 24 hours after Trump said a deal to end the war could happen "within a day or two."
- A senior U.S. official said that if there is no breakthrough soon, the war could resume in the coming days.
Behind the scenes: The situation room meeting was attended by Vice President Vance — who is expected to participate in the next round of negotiations with Iran — Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, according to a U.S. official.
- White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, CIA Director John Ratliffe and Joint Chiefs chairman Dan Caine also attended, the official said.
- The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Driving the news: Pakistani army chief Asim Munir held mediation talks between the U.S. and Iran in Tehran this week, and U.S. officials said Trump spoke by phone at least once with Munir and the Iranians.
- Iran's Supreme National Security Council said on Saturday that the U.S presented new proposals during the talks, and that Iran is reviewing them, but has not yet responded.
State of play: According to a source familiar with the details of the talks, the renewed crisis in Hormuz arose after the parties made progress in narrowing the gaps regarding Iran's uranium enrichment and its enriched uranium stockpile.
What they're saying: Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office Saturday, Trump said Iran "got a little cute ... they wanted to close up the Strait again," and later added that the nation "can't blackmail us."
- Trump said the U.S. is still talking to Iran and noted he will know by the end of the day if the parties are going to move forward with a deal.
