US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he had entered “deciding mode” over Iran and warned that “very big things” could happen soon, as Washington weighs its next move in the nearly seven-month conflict while leaving open the possibility of negotiations with Tehran.
Trump’s remarks came as Iran warned the United States and its allies against launching a fresh major attack, saying any new offensive would trigger sustained retaliation against American bases and interests in the region. The escalating rhetoric comes alongside diplomatic efforts to find a way out of the conflict, with Tehran having conveyed conditions for renewed negotiations through intermediaries.
Trump weighs options
Speaking to Fox News, Trump indicated that he was considering several possible courses of action towards Iran — further military escalation, continuing economic pressure or reaching a negotiated settlement. Trump said “very big things” would happen in the “not-so-distant future”, signalling that a decision on the next phase of Washington’s Iran strategy could be approaching.
His comments follow an interview last week in which he said he faced a “big decision” over whether to resume large-scale attacks on Iran. The US President has also said Tehran remains in contact with Washington and wants an agreement. Trump’s latest comments, however, included an unusually stark threat of military escalation. Asked about his approach towards Iran, he raised the prospect of devastating further attacks if Tehran failed to change its conduct.
Door to talks remains open
Despite the warnings, Trump also kept the possibility of direct diplomacy open ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Asked whether he could meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the high-level gathering, Trump said he would “probably be” open to such a meeting.
No meeting between the two leaders has been announced.
The possibility of diplomatic engagement comes after Iran said it had conveyed seven conditions to Washington for beginning negotiations. Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said Qatar had passed Tehran’s terms to the US. Rezaei has publicly identified three of Iran’s demands — an end to fighting on all fronts, the release of frozen Iranian funds and an end to the US naval blockade. He has not publicly detailed all seven conditions.
Iran warns against attack
Iran’s military command, meanwhile, said Sunday that it had information suggesting the US and its allies could be preparing another major attack. It warned that such an offensive would result in sustained retaliation against US military bases and interests. Tehran also said regional countries assisting an attack could be considered parties to the conflict.
The warning came amid heightened concern over the possibility of the conflict spreading further across West Asia following missile and drone attacks involving Yemen’s Houthis and Saudi Arabia. Washington has also issued a security alert warning of the possibility of unforeseen escalation in the region and urged Americans to remain vigilant.
UN meetings in focus
Attention will now turn to New York, where Trump is expected to hold talks with Gulf leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Trump has previously indicated that discussions with leaders of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman could influence his thinking about the next stage of the Iran conflict.
With Tehran simultaneously signalling willingness to negotiate and warning of a broader military response, the UN meetings could become a crucial diplomatic test as Washington decides whether to pursue another round of military escalation or explore a negotiated settlement.