- US President Donald Trump says that he is nearing a major choice on whether to “annihilate” his Iranian foes, telling Axios that “anything could happen” as he weighs his next move.
Trump weighs major Iran decision: ‘Do I want to annihilate them?’
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened Iran with sweeping destruction since launching the joint military campaign with Israel on February 28.
US President Donald Trump says he will consult Gulf leaders before deciding whether to renew large-scale attacks on Iran or pursue diplomacy.
US President Donald Trump said Thursday that he is approaching a major decision on whether to resume large-scale military attacks against Iran as he considers the next stage of the war.
“I have a big decision coming up. Do I want to go in and annihilate them [the Iranian regime] or do I not? It’s a big decision. Anything could happen with me,” Trump told Axios.
The comments come ahead of a planned meeting Tuesday with leaders from six Gulf countries on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
The leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman are expected to take part in the meeting, which could influence whether the US pursues another diplomatic effort or intensifies military action.
IRGC Announces Attack On Another Tanker In Hormuz, As Trump Mulls ‘Annihilate Them Or Not’ Decision
Critical juncture: “I have a big decision coming up…”
Saudi Arabia says that a drone launched by the Houthis towards Mecca, has been intercepted and destroyed. A Houthi statement said claims that the group had targeted Islam’s holiest site were a “nauseating lie”.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi heads to China to meet his counterpart Wang Yi as Beijing seeks to mediate an end to the war.
Saudi Arabia has halted oil loadings at the port of Yanbu following recent Houthi drone attacks, while US Energy Secretary Chris Wright has suggested that he expects the East-West pipeline to resume operations within days.
Houthi leader accuses Saudi Arabia of exploiting Mecca for political goals
- Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps says that it has struck a Togo-flagged tanker as it attempted an “illegal passage” through the Strait of Hormuz.
- A UN fact-finding mission has found “reasonable grounds” to believe the US was behind two attacks in Iran, including on a school in Minab in February, which it says constituted war crimes.
- Intensifying attacks between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis reportedly kill at least five people, including three children.
Pakistan’s Defense Chief Says Time Has Come To Implement Mecca Pact
“If there is an attack on Mecca, there is no need for an agreement to protect it,” he said.