US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that a decision on Iran could be imminent. He warned that Tehran would face "the easy way or the hard way" as his administration weighs next steps. Tensions have remained high since the conflict began on February 28, causing many to fear escalation.
US President Donald Trump on Saturday signalled that a decision on Iran could be imminent, warning that Tehran would face either "the easy way or the hard way" as his administration weighs its next steps towards the Islamic Republic.
Speaking to reporters before departing the White House for Ohio to campaign for Republican candidates ahead of the November midterm elections, Trump said he was weighing his next steps on Iran.
"We have a decision that I'll make about Iran," Trump said.
"Iran's been decimated. So the only question is, it'll either be the easy way or the hard way. We'll have it the easy or the hard way."
Trump did not elaborate on what decision he was considering, but his remarks come amid growing speculation that Washington is reviewing military and diplomatic options should tensions with Tehran escalate again.
The president also claimed that Iran was backing away from any effort to acquire a nuclear weapon.
"Iran is virtually giving up any plans to have a nuclear weapon," Trump said.
CAMP DAVID TALKS FUEL SPECULATION
Trump's comments came a day after Axios reported that his top national security advisers met at Camp David to discuss US policy options on Iran as well as the escalating Saudi-Houthi conflict in Yemen.
The discussions have intensified speculation over whether the administration could consider renewed military action if diplomacy fails to break the deadlock with Tehran.
The latest developments come despite ongoing mediation efforts aimed at reviving negotiations between Washington and Tehran following months of conflict and instability across the region.
IRAN PREPARES FOR POSSIBLE RENEWED CONFLICT
Iran, meanwhile, has been preparing contingency plans in case the United States resumes large-scale military operations, according to Iranian officials and a source familiar with internal deliberations who spoke to Reuters.
The planning reflects a growing belief within Iran's leadership that any future US military campaign should be met with a stronger response than the one launched during the conflict earlier this year.
Senior Iranian commanders have reviewed options that would broaden potential targets beyond US-linked assets and could include countries supporting American military operations, according to the sources.
Iranian officials are continuing diplomatic efforts to prevent a fresh confrontation, although some privately acknowledge that the chances of a breakthrough remain slim.
CONFLICT BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 28
The current tensions trace back to the conflict that began on February 28, when US and Israeli strikes triggered a war that lasted 40 days before a ceasefire took effect on April 8.
While the truce ended large-scale hostilities, clashes and regional tensions have continued intermittently in the months since.
Trump's latest remarks are likely to intensify scrutiny of Washington's next move, particularly as the administration weighs military, diplomatic and economic options against Tehran amid an increasingly volatile regional landscape.