US President Donald Trump has warned that Washington could launch further devastating strikes against Iran, saying a decision on the next phase of American military action would be announced soon.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Thursday, Trump said his administration was preparing significant moves over the next one to two weeks, raising the prospect of renewed military escalation against Tehran.
Trump insisted that Iran would never be permitted to acquire nuclear weapons and claimed that Tehran could not take major steps without Washington’s approval.
He also dismissed the significance of proposals currently under consideration by Iranian officials, maintaining that the United States would not compromise on its demands concerning Iran’s nuclear programme.
The president claimed that US forces had achieved their objectives in Iran since the beginning of American military operations earlier this year.
He warned, however, that further destruction remained an option if Washington decided additional action was necessary.
Trump said he would prefer to avoid destroying what remained of Iran but acknowledged that he might ultimately decide to do so.
He offered no details about the military measures under consideration, saying only that the administration was preparing several major actions in the coming days.
The remarks came as Washington weighed whether to resume large-scale military operations following months of conflict and indirect negotiations aimed at reaching an agreement with Tehran.
The United States and Iran remain divided over the terms of a potential settlement, particularly restrictions on Iran’s nuclear programme and the conditions for ending the conflict.
Trump’s latest warning also follows a major defeat for his Republican Party in Tuesday’s midterm congressional elections, which handed Democrats control of both chambers of Congress.
