"I am considering a large-scale attack, larger than ever before. I am about to make a decision, and we are ready for it," US President Donald Trump told Axios on 23/7, discussing plans for an attack on Iran.
The US leader acknowledged that this decision would have consequences but noted he had not made a final decision and set no deadline. Two unnamed US officials confirmed to Axios that the Pentagon had not received new orders related to Iran.
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President Trump speaks in Marietta, Georgia, on 22/7. Photo: AP
President Trump suggested Israel would join the attack with the US if he asked, but emphasized Washington "does not need anyone" to launch a new operation against the adversary. He also remarked that "there will be consequences" if Israel participates, seemingly referring to the possibility of Tehran retaliating against Tel Aviv.
He added that Iranian officials want to negotiate but are not yet ready to reach an agreement. "They have not suffered enough," President Trump stated.
Two sources familiar with mediation efforts in the Middle East told Axios that Iranian leaders have not accepted the latest proposal. "We are trying, but they are not cooperating," one source said.
In a social media post afterward, President Trump declared that from this point on, all damage to ships, goods, and everything else would be compensated with Iranian money that the US "holds and controls," apparently referring to nearly 100 billion USD of Tehran's assets frozen by other countries.
"These damages could be huge. However, doing so is fair and just," he wrote.
Iranian officials have not commented on the information.
The US has intensified attacks on Iran over the past two weeks to prevent Tehran from continuing to attack cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz. However, Iran has not shown any intention of changing its stance and has increased attacks on military targets in the region in retaliation against the US.
US forces attack Iranian targets in a video released on 23/7. Video: CENTCOM
The Iran-backed Houthi armed group has begun attacking Saudi Arabian ships in the Red Sea, escalating tensions on the vital oil shipping route and further destabilizing the global energy market.
President Trump warned on 23/7 that if the Houthi group continues to attack ships in the Red Sea, the US will hold Iran accountable. According to him, the Yemen armed group is a proxy force for Tehran, so "severe military sanctions will be imposed" on both Iran and the Houthi group if the situation persists.
Pham Giang (According to Axios, Al Jazeera, AFP)
