US President Donald Trump has said he is weighing what he described as an unprecedented military strike against Iran after the US military carried out its 12th consecutive day of attacks.
Speaking to Axios, Trump said he was “considering a massive attack” that would surpass all previous US operations against Iran.
“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.
The president added that Israel would participate in the operation if requested, but stressed that the United States was capable of carrying out the strikes on its own.
On diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, Trump said Iran had not “received enough pain yet” to agree to a final deal.
Earlier on Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Trump’s approach to Tehran as “a head for an eye” while speaking to reporters at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2026 summit in Manila, Philippines.
Rubio was responding to remarks by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who said Tehran’s defence strategy against the United States was based on an “eye for an eye.”
“The president’s policy is a head for an eye. Honestly, that’s what it’s going to be. Iran will pay a very heavy price for the things they’re doing,” Rubio said.
According to US Central Command, the American military completed its 12th straight day of strikes against Tehran on Wednesday. The United States and Iran have since accused each other of breaching the ceasefire agreement reached under a memorandum of understanding last month.
Despite the ongoing hostilities, Trump told Axios that Iran was seeking renewed negotiations but had not yet reached the point of accepting a final agreement.
“They want to negotiate, but they haven’t received enough pain yet,” he said.
