Trump Hints at Major Decision on 'Destroying Iran'...Signals Possible Resumption of Large-Scale Attacks

Meeting with Leaders of Six Gulf States on the 22nd to Hear Their Views

"Iran in Direct Contact with U.S. ... Still Seeking an Agreement"

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he will soon decide whether to resume large-scale military operations against Iran. It is expected that after listening to the opinions of the six Gulf state leaders at a meeting scheduled for the 22nd, he will determine whether to seek another diplomatic solution or proceed with military action.

U.S. President Donald Trump declared the end of the war on the 14th (local time). White House

In an interview with the U.S. online media outlet Axios on the 17th (local time), President Trump said, "A major decision is approaching," and added, "We must decide whether to go in and destroy the Iranian regime or not."

He further stated, "As far as I'm concerned, anything can happen," leaving open the possibility of resuming large-scale attacks. However, he did not disclose whether he would make the decision before or after the midterm elections in November.

President Trump will meet with the leaders of the six Gulf states—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman—during the United Nations (UN) General Assembly held in New York on the 22nd.

He said, "I want to know what their positions are and what the situation is," adding, "We have protected them very much." This indicates his intention to directly hear from regional allies about their views on the next phase of the war with Iran.

Axios projected that this meeting could serve as a turning point for deciding whether to re-engage in diplomatic efforts with Iran or to expand military operations. This is because the United States needs the consent of regional allies, who may face Iranian retaliatory attacks, should it resume large-scale military operations.

It was reported that earlier last month, as Saudi Arabia and Qatar expressed concerns that their own oil and gas facilities might be attacked in retaliation by Iran, President Trump postponed the resumption of large-scale military operations.

Since then, the United States has suspended negotiations with Iran, strengthened economic sanctions and maritime blockades, and focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and increasing oil shipments. With U.S. military support, the number of oil and gas carriers passing through the Strait has increased significantly, but the overall volume remains below pre-war levels and oil prices continue to stay high.

President Trump expressed satisfaction that the maritime blockade has blocked Iran's oil exports. He asserted, "Since we started the blockade, not a single ship has gone to Iran. They tried, but we sank them."

He also revealed that Iran is in direct contact with the United States and still wishes to reach an agreement. As the conflict with Iran, which began in late February, remains in a stalemate—neither war nor peace—some within the U.S. administration are concerned that this situation cannot be maintained for an extended period.

Some U.S. officials have predicted that if a ceasefire agreement is not achieved by the midterm elections, President Trump could resume large-scale military operations. It has been reported that President Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth instructed that the size of U.S. troops deployed in the Middle East be maintained through the end of this year in preparation for the possibility of resuming full-scale war.

A U.S. official stated, "The U.S. military cannot remain in this standby state for much longer," adding, "At some point, we must decide what our ultimate objective is."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.