Trump moves to a decisive phase in Iran, Tehran warns of wider war

Washington tightens the squeeze as Tehran warns a new attack could trigger a wider war

The pressure on Iran is building from several directions at once, with Donald Trump weighing his next move while Tehran warns that any major new US or allied attack would bring sustained retaliation across the region.

Trump has indicated that he is now in a decisive phase over Iran, with military action, continued economic pressure and a possible agreement all under consideration. At the same time, his administration is preparing to use the United Nations General Assembly to demand tougher enforcement of sanctions against Tehran.

US turns the screws

US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz has warned that countries refusing to enforce Washington's Iran sanctions should expect consequences, saying the message applies to both friends and adversaries.

Washington says the economic pressure is already hurting Iran, pointing to its currency, inflation and restrictions on its oil exports. The administration also continues to insist that Iran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

The diplomatic offensive comes as Trump prepares to meet Gulf leaders and address the UN, putting Iran's nuclear programme, sanctions and the wider regional conflict firmly on the international agenda.

Tehran threatens a wider response

Iran, meanwhile, is warning that a fresh American attack would not necessarily remain confined to Iran itself.

Iran's military command has threatened sustained attacks against US bases and interests across the Middle East and warned regional countries that assist an American operation could also be treated as participants.

Tehran is also keeping the Strait of Hormuz at the centre of its response, repeatedly asserting that it retains the ability to disrupt one of the world's most important energy routes. Traffic through the waterway has already fallen sharply, with only a dozen commodity vessels reported to have transited over the weekend compared with 35 the previous weekend.

Talks are still possible — but Iran has conditions

Despite the threats, the diplomatic door has not been completely closed.

Iran says it has passed conditions for renewed negotiations to Washington through mediators, including an end to the war on all fronts, the release of frozen Iranian assets and an end to the US naval blockade.

Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has argued that Tehran must be prepared both to fight and negotiate, while President Masoud Pezeshkian has said Iran does not want war but will not yield to what he describes as force or intimidation.

Yemen adds another dangerous front

The situation is becoming even more complicated because the Iran-linked Houthis have opened another pressure point in Yemen.

The Houthis have launched attacks against Saudi Arabia and threatened countries that become involved on Riyadh's side. A senior Houthi official told the Associated Press that the group has assured Washington it does not intend to attack US vessels, but warned that it could fight on multiple fronts if other nations join the conflict against Yemen.

That leaves Washington facing a problem that extends well beyond Iran itself: a decision over Tehran could have consequences in Yemen, the Red Sea, the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

For now, the two sides are still talking through intermediaries while simultaneously preparing for escalation.

Trump says a major decision is coming. Tehran is warning what could follow. And across the region, the fuse is already burning.

AN ORIGINAL: FOX. YAHOO. NY Post. Al Jazeera

A major decision is coming.......like the all singing all dancing Trump health care plan?.......or a real decision?......maybe the major decision will be to not actually make a decision?

10 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

A major decision is coming.......like the all singing all dancing Trump health care plan?.......or a real decision?......maybe the major decision will be to not actually make a decision?

He will let you know in two weeks.