U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he is seriously considering resuming large-scale military operations against Iran, including strikes that would exceed the scope of those carried out during Operation "Epic Fury."
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He stressed, however, that no final decision has yet been made.
In an interview with the U.S. news outlet Axios, Trump acknowledged that such a decision would have significant consequences but said he has not yet made up his mind and declined to provide a timeline for when a decision might be announced.
Two U.S. officials confirmed that the administration has not approved a new military operation and that no additional orders have been issued to the U.S. military.
Trump said:
"I'm considering carrying out a massive attack, bigger than ever before. I'm close to making a decision. Everything is ready."
He added that Israel "would join within two minutes if I asked," but emphasized that "the United States doesn't need anyone" to conduct a new operation against Iran.
At the same time, he warned that Israeli participation in any strikes would likely have consequences, referring to the possibility of Iranian retaliation.
On the diplomatic front, Trump said the Iranians "want to negotiate," but "are not currently ready to make a deal," adding, "They haven't experienced enough pain yet."
Meanwhile, two regional sources familiar with mediation efforts said that Iran's leadership has not accepted the latest proposal presented to it. One of the sources noted that mediation efforts are continuing, saying:
"We're trying, but the Iranians are not helping."
The developments come 12 days after the United States intensified military operations aimed at stopping Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the report, Tehran has shown no indication of changing its approach and has instead increased its regional attacks.
The report also says that Houthi forces have stepped up attacks on Saudi vessels in the Red Sea, increasing tensions along one of the world's most important oil shipping routes and contributing to further disruptions in global energy markets.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump warned that any future Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea would result in the United States holding Iran responsible.
He wrote that the Houthis are "an Iranian proxy" and warned that:
"Major military punishment will be inflicted on Iran and on the Houthis themselves, of course."
According to the report, Tehran has threatened to target infrastructure across the region if the United States carries out strikes on critical facilities inside Iran.
It has also reportedly instructed the Houthis in Yemen to prepare to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait should Iran's power grid come under attack.
As tensions continue to escalate, the United States has reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz following renewed clashes described as the most intense since the ceasefire that took effect in April.
Iran has warned that the renewed blockade undermines its memorandum of understanding with Washington.
The report states that the current war began on February 28, when Israel and the United States launched attacks on Iran.
Tehran responded by closing the Strait of Hormuz, which before the conflict carried roughly one-fifth of the world's energy supplies.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the central flashpoints in the conflict, with Iran's control over the strategic waterway giving it considerable geopolitical leverage.
