Trump Again Threatens to Destroy Iran, Hinting at Nuclear Use?
WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump has stated that he is facing a crucial decision regarding whether to “destroy” Iran. His recent comments reflect growing frustration over the inability to subdue Iran through joint Israeli attacks that commenced last February.
“I will make a big decision. Whether I want to intervene and destroy them or not?” Trump told Axios.
“This is a big decision. Anything can happen with me,” he added, noting that Iran maintains direct contact with the US and that Tehran seeks to reach an agreement.
Trump stated that no ships have reached Iran since the US blockade was re-imposed in July, following the failure of a memorandum of understanding between the two nations to end the conflict.
US and Israeli attacks on Iran since last February have killed approximately 3,500 Iranians. US strikes that killed over one hundred children in Minab have also been classified as war crimes by the UN Human Rights Commission.
Iran subsequently retaliated by targeting US bases in the Gulf region. Recent Pentagon reports indicate that hundreds of US military assets and dozens of military aircraft have been destroyed as a result of these retaliatory strikes.
The US-Israeli attacks have also triggered escalations in other parts of the Middle East, such as Lebanon, which has been bombarded by Israel for defending Iran; as well as the Saudi-Houthi conflict, which has intensified after Sanaa airport was bombed to prevent the arrival of an Iranian delegation in Yemen. Total estimated casualties from this escalation range between 8,000 and 10,600 people across the Middle East.
Iran has also tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz following the US and Israeli attacks. Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr, a political advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader, stated that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are removed from office. The IRGC continues to attack vessels attempting to transit through unauthorised routes in the Strait of Hormuz.
“Our fighters will not open the Strait of Hormuz until Trump and Netanyahu are ousted from power,” Zoghadr was quoted by Apa on Thursday (17/9/2026).
Zolghadr described the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as the first phase of Iran’s retaliation. He stated that Iran intends to avenge those killed in the war and described Iran’s resistance over the last 200 days as evidence that efforts to defeat them have failed.