U.S. Weighs Strike Options as NATO Maritime Contingency Planning Intensifies

U.S. military and intelligence officials have reportedly canceled holiday weekend plans as the Trump administration actively prepares for a possible new round of strikes against Iran. While a White House spokesperson confirmed the Pentagon is ready to execute any decision by the Commander-in-Chief, officials emphasized that no final order had been issued as of Friday afternoon. Concurrently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned NATO allies during a meeting in Sweden that a "Plan B" is required for the Strait of Hormuz, citing risks that Iran may attempt to assert control or charge tolls in the critical waterway. On the diplomatic front, the four-week United Nations Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference concluded without a consensus, underscored by sharp disagreements between Washington and Tehran. Despite the lack of a multilateral breakthrough, Secretary Rubio noted "a little bit of movement" in ongoing indirect negotiations, though he characterized the talks as "fraught" with deep-seated differences. Regional mediation efforts are expanding as external actors attempt to stabilize the situation. Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and a team of Qatari mediators arrived in Tehran on Friday. However, these efforts face internal pressure within Iran, where hardliners are reportedly voicing strong opposition to any limited compromise with the United States, potentially narrowing the path for a diplomatic resolution.