President Trump revealed Sunday he is considering “blowing up” all of Iran and that “very big things are going to be happening” soon — as he left a retreat at Camp David a day early so he could return to the White House.
In a call with Fox News’ Trey Yingst, Trump laid out three possible paths for Iran: they make a deal with the US or Trump will choose between “letting them rot economically,” or wiping the regime out entirely.
“He tells Fox News he’s in a ‘deciding mode’ and that very big things are going to be happening in the not so distant future,” Yingst recounted.
“The president described the current choices on the table as wiping Iran out, letting them rot economically, or making a deal,” he added.
“My question is: If and when do I blow the entire nation up? They better behave.”
Trump’s warning came as Iran’s regime claimed it had intelligence that the US was planning an new attack — and said it would retaliate against US bases and other interests in the region.
The State Department, meanwhile, issued a security alert on Saturday saying there was potential for unforeseen escalation in the Middle East and Americans should exercise more vigilance and be aware of possible flight cancellations and airspace closures.
Trump, however, sought to downplay the concerns and told Yingst that “this weekend as no different from any other weekend.”
The standoff comes as Iranian officials are expected in New York this week for the United Nations General Assembly, creating a potential opening for another round of agreement.
When asked if he would meet with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the UN, Trump said he would “probably be open to it.”
Trump told Axios last week that he had a “big decision coming up,” over whether to “annihilate” Iran’s regime.
The president on Sunday said some of the officials are “hiding like rats” and accused Tehran of failing to put people at the negotiating table who have the authority to strike a deal with the US.
Meanwhile, the US naval blockade remains in effect, putting additional pressure on Iran’s already battered economy.
US Central Command said Saturday that American forces had escorted more than 1 billion barrels of crude oil through the Strait of Hormuz in recent months, while protecting more than 2,000 commercial vessel transits and helping clear shipping lanes of mines.
Iran, however, has disputed CENTCOM’s claims, with an Iranian spokesman calling the US claim a “failed psychological operation.”
But tensions elsewhere in the region were still rising Sunday.
Iran-backed Houthi forces launched a ballistic missile toward the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh, according to Saudi authorities — after the rebels targeted the kingdom’s critical oil infrastructure of took a major pipeline offline.
Trump also said that the US was in “constant communication” with the Houthis and indicated that they’ve agreed not to fight the US.
The developments came as Trump abruptly cut short his weekend at Camp David, returning to the White House on Saturday night—a day earlier than originally scheduled. The White House did not provide an explanation for the sudden change in plans.
