President Donald Trump said he faces a “big decision” over whether to renew military strikes against Iran as the midterm elections approach and he prepares to meet Gulf leaders next week to discuss negotiations with Tehran and possible military action.
“I have a big decision coming up. Do I want to go in and annihilate them [the Iranian regime] or do I not? It’s a big decision. Anything could happen with me,” President Trump told Axios.
The president is scheduled to meet leaders from six Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. The talks will focus on whether negotiations with Iran should continue or military action should be pursued.
Speaking about the Gulf countries ahead of the meeting, President Trump said, “I want to find out where they are and how they are doing. We have been very protective of them.”
Asked about the timing of a decision on Iran, President Trump declined to say whether he would determine the next course of action before or after the midterm elections.
The president has previously indicated that the military conflict could wind down or enter a different stage before the elections. Vice President JD Vance has also said the conflict with Iran would reach a “much different phase” after the midterms in November.
In recent weeks, the Trump administration has concentrated on increasing economic pressure on the Iranian regime through sanctions while maintaining other measures against Tehran.
His administration has also continued a naval blockade on Iranian ports while directing US military efforts toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz and increasing the flow of oil to the global energy market.
