President Donald Trump signaled Thursday that he is on the verge of ordering a major escalation in U.S. military operations against Iran, as American forces completed a 12th consecutive day of strikes against the Islamic Republic. In an interview with Axios, Trump said he is considering a massive attack that would dwarf previous operations, stating he is close to making a decision and that the military is fully prepared to execute it.
“I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it,” Trump told Axios reporter Barak Ravid. The president described the potential strike as “bigger than ever before,” though he did not provide specifics on targets or timing. He noted that Israel, which joined the U.S. in launching the initial strikes on February 28, would be ready to participate again if asked, but added that Washington does not need any allies for the operation.
Earlier Thursday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored the administration’s hardline posture, warning that Tehran would face a response far beyond proportional retaliation. Speaking at the ASEAN summit in Manila, Rubio responded to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s threat of an “eye for an eye” defense strategy by declaring that Trump’s policy is a “head for an eye.”
“I mean honestly, that’s what it’s going to be. They will pay a very heavy price for the things they’re doing,” Rubio said. His comments align with Rubio’s earlier warning that Trump will hit Iran with disproportionate force as the conflict escalates.
The U.S. military has maintained a relentless tempo of operations against Iranian targets, with U.S. Central Command reporting strikes on Wednesday evening that marked the 12th consecutive day of action. Both Washington and Tehran have accused each other of violating the ceasefire agreement established under a memorandum of understanding signed last month, deepening the crisis.
Trump told Axios that the Iranians have expressed a desire to negotiate but are not yet ready to reach a final agreement. “They haven’t received enough pain yet,” he said, suggesting that further military pressure is intended to force Tehran to the bargaining table on U.S. terms.
The potential massive attack comes amid broader tensions in the region, including Trump’s threat to hold Tehran accountable for new Houthi ship attacks that have disrupted maritime security. The administration has also linked its Iran policy to other diplomatic efforts, such as Trump’s push to tie a Saudi nuclear deal to Israel normalization via the Abraham Accords.
Critics have raised concerns that an unchecked escalation could draw the United States into a broader conflict, while supporters argue that only overwhelming force can compel Iran to change its behavior. The decision, Trump indicated, is imminent.
