US President Donald Trump stated Thursday that he is close to reaching a decision on launching a massive military strike against Iran, describing the potential operation as larger than any previous action. Speaking in an interview with news correspondent Barak Ravid, Trump indicated that the United States is fully prepared for an expanded campaign following successive nights of American airstrikes against Iranian military installations.
The president addressed the potential involvement of Israeli forces in any upcoming offensive. "We are fully prepared for this," Trump stated, noting that "there will be consequences to Israeli joining in the strikes against Iran." Nevertheless, Trump emphasized Washington's strategic self-sufficiency, adding, "Israel will join within two minutes if I ask them, but we do not need anyone."
The statements follow widespread airstrikes executed by US Central Command targeting Iranian naval assets, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance outposts, and air defense systems. In a significant shift, American forces bombed the Shalamcheh border crossing connecting Iran's Khuzestan province to southern Iraq, marking a direct strike on Iranian sovereign territory rather than regional proxy networks.
Diplomatic channels remain stalled despite ongoing communication attempts. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that Iranian representatives seek diplomatic agreements daily, but their shifting positions prevent meaningful negotiations. "Iran is begging every day to make a deal with the United States," Rubio noted, "but the main dilemma is that they are constantly changing their minds and flipping, and are not ready to reach a deal."
Rubio added that Washington's military pressure will continue until Tehran commits to stable terms. "For these reasons, the President is constantly raising the threat level, and they will pay a price. Maybe in a few days they will come to their senses," Rubio said, adding that "at the moment, the President sees no point in responding to them at all because they are not ready to reach a deal."
Precautionary measures expanded within Israel as municipalities braced for potential Iranian retaliation. Ramat Gan Mayor Carmel Shama Hacohen instructed the municipal security department to open all public bomb shelters across the city. Municipal authorities clarified that Home Front Command guidelines remained unchanged and that opening shelters served strictly as a precautionary step.
Likud Member of Knesset Moshe Saada commented on potential timelines during an interview on Channel 14, assessing that military action could occur within days. "We are toward an attack in Iran, maybe even this weekend, these are assessments," Saada said, before clarifying that his remarks represented personal evaluations rather than classified briefings.
The strategic escalation coincides with increased Iranian missile and drone barrages targeting American positions inside Jordan. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps published footage depicting missile launches directed at US bases across the Middle East. Simultaneously, Trump warned Tehran regarding Houthi threats to block Saudi commercial shipping in the Red Sea, writing on social media, "Please let me say clearly that if they do this again, the US will hold Iran responsible," adding that "severe military punishment will be imposed on Iran and, of course, on the Houthis themselves."
