Trump Weighs Options with Iran
President Donald Trump indicated on Sunday that he is close to making a decision on whether to pursue a deal with Iran or initiate another round of military strikes, as U.S. military leaders are reportedly preparing new action plans in response to increasing threats from Tehran.
“Do I make a deal with them or do I finish them off? That’s the only question,” Trump remarked during an interview on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures.
“I have a decision to make. Do I finish it off, which would be very easy to do, or do I make a deal?” he continued. “Getting to be decision time.”
Meanwhile, American military planners have reportedly developed options for a significant operation against Iran, targeting sites beyond those previously engaged.
U.S. Central Command has prepared strike plans that could be executed upon Trump’s approval, as noted by a source familiar with these preparations. Another source also mentioned that military officials have presented several options to War Secretary Pete Hegseth, although these plans are not yet finalized.
These preparations might involve a more extensive range of targets compared to prior U.S. operations. The New York Times reported that military planners are considering strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure and other critical economic sites, while Trump has seemingly inclined towards approving another substantial strike campaign.
Although Trump has not yet authorized any strikes, the military’s readiness highlights the choices facing him as he contemplates his next steps regarding Tehran.
Trump emphasized the pressure being applied to Tehran, citing American control of the Strait of Hormuz and a U.S. naval blockade that has drastically curtailed Iran’s oil exports. “Remember, we now control the Hormuz Strait,” he said. “They get nothing. We get everything.”
The president noted that commercial shipping traffic in this critical area is now surpassing levels seen before the conflict, stating, “We’re doing more business through the Hormuz Strait today than went before the war started.”
Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Middle Eastern oil shipments overall have exceeded prewar levels, surpassing 24 million barrels per day, as Gulf producers turn to alternative export routes despite disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump also mentioned that U.S. surveillance continues to monitor Iran’s nuclear activities, particularly focusing on the fortified Pickaxe Mountain complex, which has not been targeted in earlier U.S. strikes. “We can read the badge on somebody’s shirt from space,” he claimed, pointing out that they have a clear picture of what’s happening at Pickaxe Mountain.
He added that little significant activity had been observed at Pickaxe Mountain and other monitored sites, reiterating the devastation caused to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure by earlier American operations.
The potential for renewed military action arises amid intelligence warnings indicating that Iran has made advancements in plans to target American personnel abroad, potentially including lethal attacks on U.S. officials.
In a memorandum released on Friday, Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton cautioned Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Iranian efforts to target Americans have intensified, with plans to kill U.S. citizens in the Middle East and elsewhere reaching “advanced stages.”
Furthermore, the New York Times reported that two Iranian officials have acknowledged plans to target American diplomats and personnel in response to renewed U.S. strikes.
When asked about the intelligence concerning Iran on Sunday, Trump mentioned that he received varying reports but chose not to elaborate on their content. “Two very different sets of intelligence reports. I have them both, but they’re very different,” he remarked.
While some intelligence had been declassified, he did not specify how the different assessments diverged.
This intelligence warning arrives alongside heightened security measures at U.S. diplomatic facilities across the Middle East, including the withdrawal of personnel, evacuation preparations, and security alerts at American posts in the region.
In response to the possibility of U.S. military strikes, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf warned that Tehran would retaliate against any violation of its territory, promising a response that would exceed U.S. expectations. “We will not be intimidated,” he stated, asserting that Iran is ready to react “beyond the enemy’s imagination” to any violation.
Additionally, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated that another U.S. attack would not compel Iran into concessions, pointing out, “They have already done so twice and have seen the results.” He suggested that any repeated attempts would yield the same outcome.
In a separate statement, Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of Iran’s parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, warned against Israel, saying that a single miscalculation could lead to the occupied lands being rendered uninhabitable in no time.
Iranian security officials have threatened to attack undersea communications cables in the Persian Gulf if hostilities resume, raising concerns over potential disruptions to regional telecommunications and internet services.
Despite these threats, Iranian officials are still discussing negotiations while insisting that Washington must first accept the regime’s conditions. On Sunday, Abbas Gouzardi, a spokesperson for Iran’s parliamentary speaker, declared that talks with the U.S. would be “meaningless” unless seven conditions previously laid out by Tehran are met.
Trump has insisted on a permanent agreement to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and has expressed skepticism about Tehran’s reliability in adhering to any future agreements.
He had issued a similar warning to a gathering in Fort Myers, Florida, indicating a potential for renewed military actions akin to those that significantly impacted Iran’s military and nuclear capacities earlier this year. “We may do another little Epic Fury,” he warned, referring to the U.S. military operation initiated against Iran in February.
“Or they’ll agree. If they’re smart, they’ll just say, ‘Let’s get down to business,’” he added, showing doubt about their willingness to negotiate, perhaps implying they are not smart enough to take that route.
Despite the military readiness and his clear warnings, Trump dismissed the idea of launching an attack on that Sunday. When asked if the U.S. might strike Iran, Trump replied, “Would I tell you that?” before clarifying, “There will not be a strike today.”
His comments suggest the possibility of renewed military action remains on the table as U.S. commanders prepare strike options while Trump considers whether an agreement with Tehran is still feasible or if another strike against the regime is the path forward.
