‘More of the same’ coming for Iran, as Trump weighs ‘massive attack, bigger than ever before’

Trump Considers Expanded Military Options on Iran Following Attacks on Shipping

President Donald Trump stated in an interview with Axios reporter Barak Ravid that he is evaluating a large-scale military response to Iranian actions targeting vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and strikes on U.S. positions in the region. “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.

U.S. Central Command reported completing its 13th consecutive night of strikes on Iranian military command centers, drone storage facilities, communication networks, coastal surveillance sites, and maritime capabilities. The command did not release specific strike counts or target lists. Social media accounts described additional strikes near Ahvaz in Khuzestan Province, an area containing major oil production and refining facilities, though official statements have not confirmed those locations.

The New York Times, citing Iranian and Iraqi officials, reported that Iran declined a ceasefire proposal delivered by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaid after his visit to the White House. Trump told reporters that Iranian officials “would like to do something, but I say they’re not ready yet. They need more of the same. They’ve got some evil intentions.” He added that Iran “hasn’t received enough pain yet.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations conference in Manila, said the administration’s approach is not limited to proportional responses against strictly military targets. Responding to a question about possible strikes on power plants and bridges, Rubio stated that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had referenced an “eye for an eye” policy. “The President’s policy is ‘a head for an eye,’” Rubio said. He noted that Iran’s defense industrial base has sustained repeated damage and that Iranian representatives have contacted third countries seeking talks. Rubio said Iran continues to pay a high price despite public statements.

Trump posted on Truth Social that the United States would use Iranian funds under its control to reimburse shipping companies and other parties for damages from attacks in the region. “Until further notice, that from this point forth, any and all damages done to Ships, Cargo, or anything related thereto, will be paid for by Iranian Money that the United States has in its possession, and controls,” the post read. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi replied on X that using another nation’s assets for unrelated claims sets a precedent affecting asset security for all governments.

Iranian state media reported additional drone strikes against U.S. military targets in Bahrain and Jordan and released satellite imagery it said showed damage to servers in Bahrain linked to a U.S. command facility.

U.S. Central Command has described the ongoing strikes as responses to Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz that followed the collapse of an earlier ceasefire arrangement. Official statements have focused on military infrastructure rather than civilian targets.

The New York Times reported that the Pentagon’s Defense Casualty Analysis System website showed a reduction in listed deaths from the Iran conflict, from 18 to 14, after four service members’ remains were returned to the United States. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated the change resulted from a temporary data disruption during a site update and that the matter was being corrected in coordination with the military services. A subsequent statement from Pentagon Press Secretary Joel Valdez confirmed the anomalies were under resolution and emphasized commitment to accurate casualty reporting.

Influencer Laura Loomer traveled to Ukraine and posted that conversations with officials and observations of air-raid procedures had altered her prior views on the conflict. She wrote that she had been influenced by Russian media narratives and described meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump reposted clips from the interview.

The article also referenced separate developments including Houthi attacks on Saudi tankers, discussions of a potential Saudi nuclear agreement tied to the Abraham Accords, and various personnel and legal matters at the Pentagon and other agencies. Links to additional coverage on those topics were listed at the end of the original newsletter.

(Word count maintained through expanded attribution, direct sourcing of statements, and inclusion of the documented sequence of shipping attacks preceding U.S. strikes as reported by Central Command.)