The Radical Reading Room

US Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper held a rare in-person briefing with President Donald Trump at the White House on October 29, 2026, according to The Jerusalem Post and reported by the Wall Street Journal. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine were also present. The meeting focused on military options for actions against Iran, with officials noting that CENTCOM had previously submitted plans to resume and intensify strikes earlier in the month.

The briefing comes amid growing US preparations for a potential military campaign in the region. The Pentagon has sent additional Patriot missile systems to Israel and moved troops from vulnerable bases, signaling readiness for escalation. Iran has publicly and privately warned that any US strike would trigger broad retaliatory attacks across the Middle East.

Trump has not confirmed a decision to restart military operations, though he previously referenced a campaign called 'Epic Fury' during a Florida rally on October 23. Administration officials have stated that no new strikes are planned before the November 3 midterm elections, citing public disapproval of the war as a political risk.

Sources indicate that US and Israeli officials are coordinating joint strike plans targeting Iranian leadership and energy infrastructure, with CENTCOM chief Cooper reportedly speaking with Israeli Defense Forces Chief Eyal Zamir ahead of any potential action.