Trump’s Consideration of Military Action Against Iran
President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he is facing a significant decision regarding the possibility of resuming large-scale military strikes against Iran, aiming to conclude the ongoing conflict that has persisted for nearly seven months. This announcement comes ahead of a crucial meeting with Gulf leaders, which could inform Washington’s next steps.
“I have a big decision coming up. Do I want to go in and annihilate them [the Iranian regime] or do I not? It’s a big decision. Anything could happen with me,” Trump remarked during an interview with Axios.
On Tuesday, Trump is set to meet with leaders or top officials from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where the next phase of the conflict is expected to be a key topic of discussion.
“I want to find out where they are and how they are doing. We have been very protective of them,” he added.
The Gulf states have a vested interest in whether the U.S. ramps up its military activities. Iran has been behind numerous attacks on regional countries, targeting U.S. military bases and various civilian infrastructures. Additionally, Iran has issued threats against regional governments supporting American initiatives. Not to mention, Saudi Arabia has been facing a growing threat from missile and drone strikes by Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen.
Trump’s decision-making process has already been influenced by concerns surrounding a potential Iranian response. In early August, he opted against launching significant strikes after Saudi Arabia and Qatar expressed worries that Iran might retaliate against oil and gas infrastructure in the Gulf, as reported by Axios.
While the U.S. has paused on large-scale attacks, it has ramped up efforts to economically isolate Iran through an extensive sanctions regime and a naval blockade aimed at hampering the regime’s ability to generate revenue.
Now, the looming decision comes amid predictions that Iran’s capacity to sustain the conflict is dwindling, and they may be seeking an exit. Last week, Trump indicated that the conflict could wrap up “immediately after” the midterm elections because he believes Iran “can’t hold out any longer.” He also made it clear that any potential agreement would encompass terms beyond previous nuclear negotiations.
“I’m doing much more than a nuclear deal. There’s a lot more than nuclear,” he explained, suggesting that new issues have come into play that were not part of earlier discussions.
On Wednesday, he expressed optimism about the conflict nearing its conclusion, confirming that Tehran had reached out directly to Washington.
“Hopefully we’re toward the end of the war,” Trump told reporters. “They want to make a deal. We’ll see how that works out.”
When asked if these communications were through intermediaries, he clarified: “We deal directly.”
During a rally in North Carolina, Trump reiterated that Iran “can’t go on,” predicting a resolution would arrive soon, whether before or after the midterm elections.
“You watch what’s gonna happen to Iran,” he stated. “It’s gonna be a really good conclusion.”
As Trump weighs his options, the U.S. military maintains the capability to resume large-scale operations if ordered. Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth have instructed military forces to keep current troop levels in the Middle East until year-end, ensuring readiness for possible full-scale combat, according to U.S. officials.
However, officials note that the military cannot sustain this posture indefinitely without clearer guidance on Washington’s ultimate objectives.
“At some point, you have to decide what is the end game,” a U.S. official remarked.
In the meantime, the administration is intensifying its economic measures against Tehran through the naval blockade and expanding efforts to curb Iranian maritime trade. Trump highlighted the blockade as a testament to the pressure on the regime, stating, “Not one ship has gone to Iran since we started. They tried, and we blew them up.”
U.S. forces have also worked to ensure commercial shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz are clear, with reports of over 900 million barrels of crude oil moved since early May.
Trump reiterated that Iran is still in direct contact with the U.S. and desires an agreement, echoing his earlier comments regarding Tehran’s outreach.
While Iran has publicly expressed a willingness to negotiate, they are demanding terms that Washington is not prepared to accept. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran is ready for dialogue but requires sanctions relief, rejecting discussions under military pressure. Meanwhile, Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, has asserted that negotiations will only take place once Iran’s conditions are met.
The deliberations are part of a broader strategy being formulated by the White House, aiming to contain Iran, bolster cooperation among U.S. allies, and foster normalization between Israel and neighboring countries.
As Trump approaches his meeting with Gulf leaders, he has left questions about the extent of Washington’s commitment open — a “big decision” awaits.
