DONALD Trump has claimed the US is on the brink of launching a “massive” attack on Iran in what “would be the biggest of the war yet”.
The president said he was seriously considering restarting major combat operations, insisting Tehran needed to feel more pain.
“I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before,” Trump told Axios.
“I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it.”
Asked whether any operation would be carried out alongside Israel, Trump said the country “would join in two minutes if I ask them to”.
However, Trump stopped short of saying US forces would require Israeli support.
He also warned there would be “consequences” if Israel took part, hinting Iran could seek revenge against its regional rival.
Experts say a return to full-scale war remains unlikely, with limited appetite in the US for another major conflict.
Trump also claimed Iran “wants to negotiate” but said the country was not yet prepared to strike a deal.
“They haven’t received enough pain yet,” he added.
This comes after 12 days of escalating US military action aimed at preventing Iran from targeting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump vowed to obliterate Iranian bridges and power plants for every ship Tehran shoots at in the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the repeated warnings, Houthi rebels claim they struck two oil tankers in the Red Sea last night.
The Tehran-backed terror group claimed the Encelia and Layla vessels had been blitzed.
The announcement comes just days after they claimed a blockade of the Bab al-Mandab Strait – a critical naval trade route south of the Red Sea.
The “maritime embargo”, announced on Monday, was implemented to block all Saudi ships.
The Red Sea has become a key waterway for Saudi oil shipments due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran also threatened the Royal Family and declared a British air base a “target” after Andy Burnham allowed the US to launch strikes from the UK.
The chilling warning came after the US deployed a B-1 bomber from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire for “defensive strikes” on Tehran.
The long-range plane, which can carry 24 2,000lb bombs and travels at the speed of sound, was used to hit Iranian military targets, sources told Axios.
The UK’s Ministry of Defence said in response that its armed forces were ready to protect the country from any attack.
“Our Armed Forces are ready to keep the United Kingdom safe from any kind of attacks, whether it’s on our soil or from abroad. The UK stands ready 24/7 to defend itself,” a government spokesperson said.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/news/16737685/trump-attack-iran-biggest-war-pain/