Trump Says He is Close to Ordering a Larger Attack on Iran as Regional Tensions Surge
President Donald Trump says he is nearing a decision on a major new attack against Iran, signaling that the United States could soon expand an already intense military campaign.
“I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it,” Trump said in an interview published Thursday. He did not reveal which targets were under consideration or establish a timetable for making his decision.
The president’s remarks carry added weight because American forces are already striking Iran. The U.S. military has completed 12 consecutive nights of attacks, targeting command centers, drone facilities, missile sites, air defenses and maritime capabilities.
Trump’s latest warning suggests the administration may be preparing to move beyond those nightly operations. A larger campaign could target a broader range of Iranian military assets and infrastructure, increasing the risk of retaliation against American forces and regional allies.
A Potential Shift Beyond Nightly Airstrikes
Operation Epic Fury began on February 28 with extensive U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iranian military and nuclear-related targets. The operation was designed to weaken Iran’s missile forces, naval capabilities, military leadership and ability to pursue nuclear weapons.
The current round of American attacks has focused heavily on Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping. U.S. Central Command said its forces have targeted military operations centers, aircraft hangars, drone storage sites and maritime infrastructure linked to attacks in and around the Strait of Hormuz.
A new offensive described as larger than the opening stages of Operation Epic Fury would represent a major escalation. It could involve more aircraft, a wider target list and deeper strikes inside Iran, although the White House has not released operational details.
The uncertainty may be intentional. Trump has often used public warnings to pressure opponents before deciding whether to authorize force, negotiate or pursue both paths at once. In this case, however, military preparations and ongoing attacks make the threat more than a rhetorical exercise.
Israel’s Possible Role Raises the Stakes
Trump said Israel would participate almost immediately if he requested its involvement. He also insisted the United States does not need assistance to carry out the proposed operation, presenting Israeli participation as an option rather than a military requirement.
That distinction matters because a coordinated U.S.-Israeli campaign could widen Iran’s response. Tehran has previously targeted countries hosting American forces and has warned that governments assisting attacks against Iran could be treated as legitimate targets.
The United States has also moved additional aerial refueling aircraft to support operations connected to Israel. Refueling planes allow fighter jets and bombers to remain airborne longer and operate across greater distances, making them essential for a sustained campaign involving targets deep inside Iran.
Those deployments do not prove that Trump has approved a broader attack. They do show that Washington is working to preserve its options and ensure the military is positioned to act quickly if the president gives the order.
The Strait of Hormuz Is Driving the Crisis
The immediate struggle is increasingly centered on the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy corridors. Iran has attacked commercial vessels using routes it disputes, while the United States has responded with strikes intended to protect shipping and weaken Tehran’s maritime forces.
CENTCOM said Iran has attacked more than 30 commercial vessels over the past three months. American forces have helped approximately 900 ships carrying about 450 million barrels of crude oil pass through the waterway since early May, the command said.
The consequences are already reaching beyond the battlefield. Oil prices moved above $100 per barrel after attacks on Saudi tankers in the Red Sea added another layer of danger to global shipping, which was already struggling with disruptions near Hormuz.
That creates a difficult political calculation for Trump. A larger attack might reduce Iran’s ability to threaten ships, but it could also trigger more strikes on tankers, ports, pipelines, power facilities and American bases across the region. Any prolonged disruption could push fuel and transportation costs higher for U.S. consumers.
Diplomacy and Congressional Pressure Remain in Play
Trump said Iran appears interested in negotiating but is not yet willing to accept an agreement. His comments leave open the possibility that the threat of overwhelming force is being used to pressure Tehran into making concessions.
Publicly, both governments continue to send conflicting messages. American officials say negotiations remain possible, but Iran has promised a powerful response to attacks on its infrastructure and warned countries against assisting U.S. operations.
The possibility of a larger attack is also deepening debate in Washington over presidential war powers. The House voted 214-208 on Thursday for a resolution calling for U.S. forces to leave hostilities with Iran unless Congress authorizes continued military action.
The measure is largely symbolic and faces major obstacles, but its passage reflects growing concern about the conflict’s direction. Lawmakers are now weighing an expanding military mission, rising costs and the possibility that the United States could become locked into a much broader regional war.
Trump has not said when his final decision will come. His statement that American forces are “all set,” however, suggests the military component of that decision may already be in place.
The remaining question is whether the threat produces negotiations or becomes the opening announcement of an even larger phase of the conflict.
