President Donald Trump believes Iran hasn't “received enough pain yet.” To that end, the president told Axios exclusively that he is “close”to deciding whether to launch a “massive attack” on the regime. Trump said on…

President 👤Donald Trump believes 🇮🇷Iran hasn't “received enough pain yet.”

To that end, the president told Axios exclusively that he is “close”to deciding whether to launch a “massive attack” on the regime.

Trump said on Thursday he was considering military strikes that would surpass those carried out during Operation Epic Fury, at the outset of the campaign. However, he said he is still weighing his options.

“I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it,” Trump said.

Trump has been frustrated over stalled negotiations with 🇮🇷Iran.

“They haven’t received enough pain yet,” he told the outlet.

Two U.S. officials told Axios that no order has been issued to the military and no final call has been made.

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Trump did not provide a timeline for when he will make his decision.

When Axios pressed the president on Israel’s potential role in any future military operation, Trump told him that the country “would join in two minutes if I ask them to.”

He added the U.S. military “don’t need anybody” to carry out another round of strikes.

This escalation has caused oil prices to reach more than $100 per barrel.

Over the past 12 days, U.S. operations against 🇮🇷Iran have intensified in response to attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. 🇮🇷Iran  is continuing its own military actions across the region.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that if the Houthis fire at ships in the Red Sea, "the U.S. will hold 🇮🇷Iran responsible."

The Houthis, he said, are an Iranian proxy and therefore "major military punishment will be inflicted upon 🇮🇷Iran and, of course, the Houthis, themselves."