President Donald Trump said he is nearing a decision on launching a “massive attack” on Iran while Pakistan is reportedly working to revive stalled negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Trump Signals Potential Escalation Against Iran
In an interview with Axios on Thursday, Trump said the proposed military operation would surpass previous U.S. strikes in the nearly five-month-long conflict.
“I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it,” Trump said.
He also stated that Iran has not “received enough pain yet” and said Israel would join the operation “in two minutes” if asked, though he acknowledged Tehran could retaliate against Israel if it participated.
The remarks came as U.S. Central Command completed its 13th consecutive night of strikes on Iranian targets.
Pakistan Reportedly Seeks To Restart US-Iran Talks
As military tensions rise, Pakistan is attempting to reopen diplomatic channels between the U.S. and Iran, Reuters reported Friday, citing three Pakistani sources.
Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni traveled to Islamabad for the second time in 10 days for exploratory discussions with Pakistani leaders, including Army Chief Asim Munir.
The publication said the diplomatic push was encouraged by China, Iran’s largest trading partner.
Trump, meanwhile, reiterated that Iran wants negotiations but said Tehran is not yet prepared to reach an agreement.
Red Sea Conflict Broadens Crisis
The conflict has expanded beyond direct U.S.-Iran exchanges after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis claimed attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and announced a maritime embargo targeting Saudi oil exports.
Trump warned that Washington would hold Iran responsible for any future Houthi attacks.
“If they do this again, the U.S. will hold Iran responsible, in that the Houthis are a Surrogate and/or Proxy of Iran, and major military punishment will be inflicted upon Iran and, of course, the Houthis, themselves, who I am very disappointed with in that they have, until now, acted very professionally and smart,” he wrote on Truth Social.
Separately, Iran said it struck a U.S. military base in Jordan, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the administration’s approach, CNBC reported.
“Honestly, that’s what it’s going to be,” Rubio. “They will pay a very heavy price for the things they’re doing. They’re already paying a very heavy price.”
Iran also warned Britain and other European countries that allowing U.S. forces to use their military bases could make them accomplices in the conflict and expose them to consequences.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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