President Donald Trump said the United States will soon decide its next move against Iran, citing the country’s economic crisis as American forces prepare for possible renewed strikes amid escalating Middle East tensions.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States will soon make a decision on Iran, warning of the country’s deteriorating economy as Tehran strengthens its military defenses and threatens retaliation against American forces and regional allies if Washington resumes attacks.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House before departing for Alaska to campaign for Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, Trump offered no details about the action under consideration or when an announcement might come.
“Iran is a failed country. They have no economy. They have 300% inflation,” Trump said, according to reporting on his October 13 remarks.
“They have no money,” he added. “They’re not paying their troops.”
The president also asserted that American forces control the Strait of Hormuz, the strategically important waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to international shipping routes.
“We control the Strait of Hormuz. And a lot of oil is coming out of the Hormuz,” Trump said.
His comments came amid continuing uncertainty over maritime traffic through the strait, where disruptions associated with the U.S.-Iran conflict have affected global energy supplies. Iran and the United States remain engaged in indirect negotiations over reopening the waterway, although significant disagreements remain over the terms of a potential settlement.
Iranian officials said Monday that Tehran was reviewing Washington’s response to its latest proposal concerning the strait and would communicate its position through intermediaries, according to Reuters.
Trump also confirmed speaking Tuesday with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman following a series of deadly Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia.
Asked what security guarantees he had offered the kingdom, the president declined to disclose details.
“Well, I can’t tell you that. Do you really think I can tell you that? I’d love to tell you, but I’m not going to tell you that,” Trump said.
The conversation followed Saturday’s Houthi missile strike on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which killed at least 13 people and injured hundreds more. Subsequent drone and missile attacks have disrupted commercial flights and heightened concerns about further strikes against Saudi civilian and energy infrastructure.
Trump criticized the Houthis on Tuesday, describing their actions as unacceptable and suggesting that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could play a role in supporting Saudi Arabia.
The renewed violence in Yemen has complicated the broader confrontation between Washington and Tehran. The Iran-aligned Houthis have threatened additional attacks against Saudi oil installations, while Saudi-led forces have resumed strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen.
Iranian officials have separately warned that renewed American military operations could trigger retaliation against U.S. warships, Saudi oil facilities and other strategic targets across the Middle East.
Tehran has also threatened regional communications infrastructure and data centers as it rebuilds missile and drone capabilities damaged during the conflict.
According to an October 13 report on Iran’s military preparations, Iranian forces have used a pause in major direct fighting since late July to restore weapons production facilities and reinforce nuclear installations.
Satellite imagery reportedly shows new earthen barriers and other defensive measures around the Natanz nuclear complex and Pickaxe Mountain, a heavily fortified underground installation that Trump has discussed as a possible future military target.
The Pentagon, meanwhile, is expanding its regional presence with a third aircraft carrier strike group and additional Marines while reviewing further air defense deployments.
Trump said last week that American strikes would not resume before the November 3 midterm elections, but officials have continued developing military options.
The conflict began February 28 with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. More than seven months later, the confrontation remains unresolved despite repeated statements from the administration suggesting that military operations could soon conclude.
Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of the Iran program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said Tehran’s preparations reflect both an effort to discourage additional American strikes and readiness for another confrontation.
“In both word and deed, the Islamic Republic is actively preparing for the next war,” he said.
“In this sense, the regime’s measures constitute both deterrence and war planning,” he added.
Trump’s latest remarks leave open whether Washington will pursue further negotiations, impose additional pressure or authorize another military offensive.
With American forces reinforcing their regional positions and Iran threatening retaliation against U.S. interests and Gulf allies, the administration’s next decision could determine whether the conflict moves toward a diplomatic settlement or another round of major fighting.
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