Trump claims he’s close to deciding on largest-ever attack against Iran

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in the Oval Office at the White House, July 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP/Mark Schiefelbein)
US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun in the Oval Office at the White House, July 21, 2026, in Washington. (AP/Mark Schiefelbein)

US President Donald Trump is close to making a decision on a major strike on Iran, one larger than Operation Epic Fury, he tells Axios.

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

Trump regularly makes bombastic threats against Iran without carrying them out.

Israel “would join in two minutes if I asked them to,” Trump says, adding that “we don’t need anybody.” He also says there would be “consequences” if Israel joined in, likely referring to Iranian attacks on Israel.

Trump says that the Iranians need to be struck more before they’ll be ready to make a deal.

“They haven’t received enough pain yet,” he says.

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