Trump: US faces a critical decision on Iran war as forces remain ready for escalation

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Washington is approaching a critical turning point in the war with Iran, indicating that a major decision on the course of military operations could be made soon, including the possibility of resuming large-scale hostilities.

Speaking to Axios, Trump described any decision to eliminate Iran’s government as a major one, stressing that all options remain on the table. He also expressed satisfaction with the naval blockade, saying the United States had succeeded in restricting Iran’s oil exports.

Trump said he faces a decisive choice over whether to intervene with the aim of eliminating the Iranian regime, while noting that US forces across the Middle East are prepared for the possibility of a full-scale conflict with Iran.

He added that he wants to hear directly from Washington’s regional allies before deciding on the next steps, saying he intends to use the upcoming United Nations meetings to consult them on the future course of the war.

At the same time, Trump said direct communication between Washington and Tehran remains ongoing, adding that Iran continues to show interest in reaching an agreement.

According to officials cited by Axios, Trump has ordered the current level of US forces in the Middle East to be maintained through the end of the year in case fighting resumes.

The United States and Israel launched strikes against targets inside Iran on February 28, prompting retaliatory attacks from Tehran. In mid-June, Iran and the United States reached a memorandum to halt hostilities, but the two sides later resumed exchanging strikes.