U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday, July 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Trump said Israel “would join in two minutes if I ask them to,” but added that “we don’t need anybody” to launch another operation.
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
President Donald Trump said he is close to deciding whether to launch a new large-scale military operation against Iran, telling Axios he is weighing an attack that would exceed the scope of Operation Epic Fury, as the United States continued its campaign against Iranian-linked threats in the region.
“I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it,” Trump told Axios.
The president did not provide a timeline for making his decision. Two U.S. officials also told Axios that no final decision had been made and no new military orders had been issued.
Trump said Israel “would join in two minutes if I ask them to,” but added that “we don’t need anybody” to launch another operation against Iran. He also warned there would be “consequences” if Israel participated, indicating Iranian retaliation against Israel could follow.
The president said Iran wants negotiations but is not prepared to reach an agreement.
“They haven’t received enough pain yet,” Trump said.
Two regional sources familiar with mediation efforts said Iran’s leadership has not accepted the latest proposal presented during negotiations.
“We are trying, but the Iranians are not being helpful,” one of the sources said.
The latest developments come after 12 days of escalating U.S. attacks aimed at stopping Iranian assaults on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Axios reported that Iran has continued to intensify its own attacks across the region.
Axios also reported that Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have begun attacking Saudi ships in the Red Sea, adding pressure to another major maritime trade route and contributing to higher global oil prices.
In a Truth Social post, Trump warned that any future Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea would be attributed to Tehran.
“The U.S. will hold Iran responsible,” Trump wrote, adding that the Houthis are an Iranian proxy and that “major military punishment will be inflicted upon Iran and, of course, the Houthis, themselves.”
Separately, Trump told Axios that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to attend the wake for late Sen. Lindsey Graham in Washington next week.
“Relations with Bibi are very good. I would meet with him if he is here,” Trump said.
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