President Donald Trump says he is weighing three distinct paths forward in the U.S.-Iran conflict, and that a major decision could come in the near future. Speaking with Fox News, Trump described himself as being in “deciding mode” and said developments would occur in the “not-so-distant future.”
The three options Trump outlined are a negotiated agreement with Tehran, continued economic pressure that allows Iran’s economy to deteriorate further, or a dramatic expansion of military strikes. When asked about the timing of the military option, Trump warned that Iran “better behave.” Earlier this week he told Axios he faced a “big decision” on whether to “annihilate” the Iranian regime, adding that “anything could happen.”
Gulf Leaders Meeting at the U.N. to Shape Trump’s Thinking
Trump is scheduled to meet Tuesday with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He has said he wants to hear their perspectives before making any final call. Any return to large-scale combat operations would require close coordination with those regional partners.
U.S. officials have described the current standoff as a holding pattern that cannot go on indefinitely. American forces remain at elevated levels in the region through the end of the year, and a naval blockade has cut off Iranian oil exports. The administration has also expanded sanctions targeting additional sectors of Iran’s economy. For more on Trump’s Iran military options, the situation continues to develop rapidly.
Strait of Hormuz Traffic and Oil Markets Still Unsettled
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has recovered from its lowest wartime levels but remains below pre-conflict volumes. Oil markets have experienced sustained volatility as a result. A State Department official confirmed that a core Iranian delegation, including senior officials, will be permitted to attend the U.N. gathering under host-country obligations.
Trump has said several times in recent days that the war could end quickly if Tehran accepts terms he considers acceptable, and he has indicated he has been in direct contact with Iranian officials. He has not said whether a final decision will come before or after the November midterm elections, though some officials have suggested that major combat operations could resume after the elections if no deal is reached.
