US President Donald Trump has entered a “critical period” in his deliberations over how to proceed in the standoff with Iran, threatening “big things” if Tehran does not alter its tactics, he said Sunday.
During his Fox News interview, Trump listed a number of options. He mentioned more military action, more economic pressure, and a negotiated settlement, and stated that “very big things” could happen in the near future.
Meanwhile, Trump suggested diplomacy is still on the table. He indicated that he would probably meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during this week’s UN General Assembly in New York.
The remarks coincide with the ongoing standoff between Washington and Tehran, neither of which is willing to make the compromises necessary for a wider deal.
Iran threatened to respond with “sustained” action against U.S. bases and interests in the region in response to any major new U.S. or allied attack, Reuters reported Sunday.
The military command of Iran has also declared that the USA’s regional allies would be viewed as a party to any fresh war.
The warning coincided with the recent attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces and concerns that there may be additional escalation in the Middle East.
The prospect of a diplomatic gathering has become more topical after Washington granted visas for a central Iranian delegation to attend the UN General Assembly.
The delegation will be led by Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, according to Reuters. However, they will be subject to restrictions on their movement while in the United States.
Earlier in the week, Trump had hinted that he was on the verge of making a big decision on Iran. In an interview with Axios, he indicated that he was mulling over the possibility of taking up large-scale attacks again, but did not rule out other options.
The new remarks, then, coincide with a potentially critical diplomatic moment. Iranian officials have also been talking about potential talks via intermediaries, and have threatened to retaliate militarily if Washington does not meet their demands. The sources are Reuters and Iran International.
The timing of the UN meeting may give a chance to top U.S. and Iranian officials to send messages amid ongoing military tensions. If there will be a direct meeting, however, is still not clear.
Trump has not yet said what new military action he is considering. His latest comments suggest that Washington is still considering a number of options, and Tehran threatens that a major attack would result in more regional reprisals.
