President Donald Trump stated that the United States may need to attack Iran again, revealing he was an hour away from deciding on a strike before postponing the action. The decision to hold off on the bombardment followed requests from Gulf allies, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, who sought more time for diplomacy. Trump indicated that while he has paused military action, he has instructed the U.S. military to be prepared for a full, large-scale assault on a moment's notice if an acceptable deal is not reached.
Speaking at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Trump emphasized that the United States will not let Iran possess a nuclear weapon. He asserted that Iran's military might is largely gone, specifically noting that their navy and air force are gone. Trump suggested that negotiations are in the final stages and gave Tehran a window of two to three days, potentially until early next week, to reach an agreement to end the war.
In response, Iran's Revolutionary Guard warned that any renewed U.S. or Israeli attacks would result in retaliation extending beyond the Middle East to places that cannot be imagined. Iranian army spokespeople claimed the country has used the current ceasefire to strengthen its combat capabilities and learn from past clashes.
While Tehran submitted a new offer this week, reports indicate the terms remain largely unchanged from previous offers rejected by Trump, including demands for the lifting of sanctions. Despite the ongoing serious negotiations, Iranian leaders continue to project defiance and reject pressure from the United States.