The top U.S. military commander in the Middle East briefed President Trump on Thursday about the options for military action against Iran, according to a U.S. official and a source with knowledge of the meeting.
Why it matters: This was the first time the commander of the U.S. military Central Command Adm. Brad Cooper briefed Trump since the beginning of the crisis with Iran last December.
- Trump has order a massive U.S. military build up in the Middle East and he is considering ordering a military campaign against Iran.
Behind the scenes: Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine also attended the briefing, the U.S. official said.
- ABC News first reported on the briefing.
Driving the news: Cooper and Caine briefed Trump while the third round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks concluded in Geneva.
- The meeting was seen by many in the Trump administration as a last chance for diplomacy before Trump decides whether to launch a war.
- A senior U.S. official told Axios the talks were "positive" but did not immediately provide additional details.
- Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday's nuclear negotiations with the U.S. led to understandings on some issues and left gaps on others, with another round set for next week.
What to watch: Both Araghchi and Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said the next steps would be consultations in Washington and Tehran, followed by technical discussions between nuclear experts in Vienna next week.
- Araghchi also said there would be a "fourth round of negotiations next week."
CENTCOM declined to comment, and the White House did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
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