Trump says he is close to ordering massive attack on Iran

President Donald Trump said on July 23, 2026, that he is seriously considering and close to ordering a "massive attack" on Iran, a move he warned would be larger than any previous U.S. military operation in the ongoing conflict. In an interview, Trump stated that while no final decision has been made and no new military orders have been issued, the United States is prepared to act.

The president's comments signal a potential major escalation in hostilities that have intensified over the past 12 days, centered on U.S. strikes aimed at halting Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has continued its own military actions across the region in response. Trump expressed frustration with the diplomatic stalemate, asserting that Iran wants to negotiate but "hasn't received enough pain yet" to shift its position.

Trump indicated that while Israel would join an operation quickly if asked, the United States does not need any partner to launch strikes. He also warned there would be consequences if Israel participated, alluding to potential Iranian retaliation against the U.S. ally. The conflict has increasingly drawn in Iranian-backed proxy groups, with Houthi...