Trump Keeps Door Open for New Strikes on Iran, Tehran Issues Stern Warning

US President Donald Trump has warned that Washington remains ready for large-scale military action against Iran if Tehran fails to meet US demands, while Iran has also threatened a strong response. Fresh statements from both countries have once again heightened fears of escalation and potential war in the Middle East.
President Trump said on Saturday that Washington is still prepared to launch a large-scale military operation against Iran should Tehran fail to comply with US demands. In an interview with French TV channel LCI, Trump said: “A pause in the strikes doesn’t mean we’ve backed off.” He added: “If Iran doesn’t meet our conditions, we are still ready to carry out a wide-scale military strike against it.” The remarks came as the US, for the first time in two weeks, did not carry out airstrikes on Iran on Saturday night.
Washington has so far offered no explanation for the sudden halt in what had been 13 consecutive nights of escalating airstrikes, which began after the collapse of an interim agreement and were carried out in response to Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. US news site Axios, citing two unnamed sources, reported that President Trump instructed the US military on Friday not to carry out further strikes on Iran for now.
In recent days, Trump had threatened to widen the scope of strikes to include Iran’s power plants, bridges, and Kharg Island, a key hub for Iran’s oil exports. He had also hinted that an underground site known as “Mountain of the Axe,” reportedly linked to Iran’s nuclear program, could also be targeted. However, Trump said on Friday that he had not yet made a final decision on any new large-scale military action against Iran.
Meanwhile, Iran’s military has warned the US that if it resumes strikes, the ongoing war in the Middle East could expand further. Iranian armed forces spokesman Mohammad Akramania told state television that if the US, under Israeli influence, resumes airstrikes or insists on continuing the war, the consequences would be felt across the entire region.
The Iranian military’s statement came as preparations continue for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, during which US and Israeli leadership are expected to discuss regional security, Iran policy, and the ongoing tensions.