President Donald Trump said Tuesday the United States might have to give Iran “another big hit” if Tehran does not agree to a peace deal that includes abandoning its nuclear ambitions — setting a deadline of “the next two or three days, maybe Friday, Saturday, Sunday, something, maybe early next week.”
The remarks came as The Atlantic reported, citing two administration officials, that the White House has asked the Pentagon to draw up strike options against Iran that could be executed before the midterm elections. The size and targets of the potential strikes, and whether the administration will proceed, are still being debated, according to the report — but the request runs counter to the widespread assumption that Trump would hold off on escalating the conflict with Tehran before the polls next month.
The saber-rattling moved markets sharply: Brent crude climbed above $102 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate traded near $90–$103, while Dow futures fell roughly 400 points Thursday morning and the 10-year Treasury yield jumped to 5.33%.
The Pentagon buildup continues: roughly 9,000 U.S. troops are now aboard ships headed to the region, including the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group and the USS Makin Island amphibious readiness group, with the USS George H.W. Bush and USS George Washington already on station.
On the diplomacy track, Iran’s latest proposal — delivered Tuesday via state media — insists on its right to uranium enrichment, an end to the U.S. naval blockade, release of Iranian assets, compensation for war damage, and withdrawal of U.S. forces from the region.
