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President Donald Trump is increasingly losing confidence in diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict with Iran and is now weighing a renewed military response, according to officials familiar with internal White House discussions.

Sources within the administration told CNN on Monday that frustration has mounted sharply in recent days as Iranian negotiators continue rejecting key American demands and offering what Trump views as unserious counteroffers. As a result, military planning has reportedly once again become a major focus inside the administration.

The latest escalation comes amid continued instability surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, which remains effectively closed despite a fragile ceasefire that has held for more than a month. The ongoing disruption to global shipping lanes, combined with divisions inside Iran’s leadership, has contributed to growing skepticism in Washington that a diplomatic breakthrough is possible.

Officials quoted in the report said Trump sees Tehran’s current posture not as strength, but as hesitation and internal confusion.

“They think I’ll get tired, or get bored, or I’ll have some pressure,” Trump told reporters on Monday. “There’s no pressure at all. We’re going to have a complete victory.”

According to the report, senior advisers remain divided over how aggressively to proceed. Some administration officials are pushing for a renewed wave of airstrikes under “Operation Epic Fury,” arguing that hitting the remaining strategic Iranian targets could force Tehran into accepting American terms.

Others inside the administration continue urging restraint and want additional time given to diplomacy. Still, doubts are reportedly growing over the effectiveness of Pakistani intermediaries involved in the negotiations. Some Trump advisers believe the Pakistanis may not be fully communicating the President’s anger and dissatisfaction to Iranian officials, instead softening the American position in discussions with the State Department.

CNN reported that Trump convened a high-level national security meeting on Monday to examine possible next steps if diplomacy collapses entirely. Among the options reportedly discussed were restarting “Project Freedom,” the naval operation designed to escort commercial vessels through the Persian Gulf, as well as potential special operations missions targeting Iran’s enriched uranium reserves.

Despite the increasingly hawkish tone, administration officials indicated that no final decision is expected before Trump departs Tuesday afternoon for his trip to China.

The CNN report followed an earlier report by Israel’s Channel 12 News stating that Trump is leaning toward authorizing some form of renewed military action because of mounting dissatisfaction with Iran’s conduct during negotiations.

Trump further escalated his rhetoric Monday after reviewing Tehran’s latest response to the American proposal aimed at ending the war.

“Iran’s proposal is stupid. I didn’t even finish reading it. I had an amazing plan after Iran was defeated. They must understand that they will not have nuclear weapons. They are dangerous,” Trump declared during an event at the White House.

He added that “the ceasefire is very weak after the piece of garbage they sent us.”

Iranian officials responded forcefully. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned Monday that Tehran stands prepared for any escalation.

“Mistaken strategy and mistaken decisions will always lead to mistaken results. The whole world has already figured this out,” he wrote in a post on social media.

“We are prepared for all options; they will be surprised,” added Ghalibaf.

In a subsequent statement, Ghalibaf insisted that Tehran’s proposal remains the only realistic framework for ending the conflict.

“There is no alternative but to accept the rights of the Iranian people as laid out in the 14-point proposal. Any other approach will be completely inconclusive; nothing but one failure after another,” he wrote.

“The longer they drag their feet, the more American taxpayers will pay for it,” stated Ghalibaf.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Avrohom Yosef, son of Rav Ovadia Yosef, delivered sharp words regarding the growing trend of haircuts that remove the peyos entirely, warning that such practices are a serious breach of halacha.

Speaking on Kol Chai radio, Rav Yosef described the pain he feels witnessing what has become common practice in many barber shops. “I look to the right and to the left at all the barbers of various kinds and my heart aches,” Rav Yosef said.

At the same time, he made clear that the blame cannot be placed solely on the barbers themselves, stressing that those getting the haircuts bear responsibility as well. “They put everything on the barber, and that’s not correct,” he said.

Rav Yosef went on to stress the severity of the matter, comparing it to eating maachalos assuros, forbidden foods. “A person who goes this way transgressed two prohibitions, as if he ate two portions of pork.” He explained that failing to leave kedei achiza—enough hair to grasp—in the peyos constitutes a serious violation of a lav in Vayikra 19:27: “Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.”

He further clarified the distinction between the prohibition of removing the beard and that of cutting the peyos. In the case of the beard, the issur is dependent on an act of “hashchasa,” destruction, which is why “misparayim k’ein taar – scissors like a razor” may be permitted. By contrast, the prohibition regarding the hair on the head relates to “hakafah,” rounding the corners. “If there is not hair left to grasp, he has transgressed ‘do not round off the corners of your heads.’”

Concluding his remarks, Rav Yosef called on parents and the broader tzibbur to take a more active role in addressing the issue and ensuring that standards are upheld. “Parents should insist that their children present a Jewish appearance. Every God-fearing person should try to admonish, not to be silent, not to tolerate. Wake up, pay attention and urge people to walk in the way of the Torah.”

{Matzav.com}