US President Donald Trump reacts to the supporters' cheer during a rally at Gastonia Municipal Airport in Gastonia, North Carolina.
Trump says has “big decision” coming up on Iran
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
US President Donald Trump said he is approaching a critical decision over whether to resume large-scale military operations against Iran, according to an interview with Axios published Thursday.
Trump said he is weighing whether renewed attacks could bring the nearly seven-month-old war
to an end.
"I have a big decision coming up. Do I want to go in and annihilate them [Iran's leadership] or do I not?” Trump said.
“It's a big decision. Anything could happen with me,” he added.
His comments come ahead of a planned meeting with leaders from the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next week.
Trump seeks Gulf input
Trump told Axios that he wants to hear directly from regional allies before determining the next steps in the conflict.
"I want to find out where they are and how they are doing. We have been very protective of them," Trump said.
The meeting is expected to include leaders or foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman.
Axios reported that discussions are expected to include US plans for the postwar regional order.
Trump has previously indicated that he hopes the conflict is nearing an end and said Wednesday that Iran wants to reach a deal with Washington.
Iran has not publicly confirmed that direct negotiations with the United States have resumed, while Iranian officials have said any diplomatic process would depend on conditions set by Tehran.
US maintains military presence
Despite Trump's comments about potentially ending the war, US officials have said American forces will maintain their current level of deployment in the Middle East through the end of the year, keeping them prepared for a possible return to full-scale combat.
The conflict has also widened to Yemen, while disruption around the Strait of Hormuz continues to affect regional energy shipments.
Only three commercial vessels reportedly transited the waterway on Wednesday, compared with 12 the previous day.
