Trump Weighs ‘Massive Attack’ as Iran Rejects Cease-Fire Proposal

Trump Considers Expanded Strikes on Iran After Cease-Fire Proposal Is Rejected

On Thursday, President Donald Trump told Axios he is considering renewed large-scale military operations against Iran. He indicated the strikes could exceed the scale of Operation Epic Fury, which killed dozens of Iranian leaders and began on Feb. 28. “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. He noted that any such operation would carry consequences and that no final decision had been reached. Trump stated that Israel “would join in two minutes” if requested, though he added that U.S. forces “don’t need anybody.”

Trump also said Iran is “not ready” to reach an agreement and that its leaders “have some evil intentions.” His comments followed Iran’s reported rejection of a 15-point cease-fire proposal delivered by Iraq on Wednesday. Trump suggested further escalation could be used to bring Iran back to talks. “They haven’t received enough pain yet,” he told Axios.

A temporary two-week cease-fire had been reached on April 8, 2026, after earlier negotiations. That agreement later ended, returning both sides to active conflict. The current impasse follows that breakdown.

Iran has claimed responsibility for attacks on Gulf states since the earlier memorandum of understanding, describing them as retaliation for U.S. strikes. The Associated Press reported explosions near a military base in northern Iraq on Friday after the U.S. military completed its 13th consecutive night of strikes on Iran.

Tensions have also risen around the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen have targeted Saudi ships in the Red Sea. Brent crude oil reached $100 a barrel on Thursday for the first time since May. Trump said the United States “will hold Iran responsible” for any additional Houthi attacks and that “major military punishment will be inflicted upon Iran and, of course, the Houthis, themselves.”

Iranian officials have stated they will not accept any new agreement that leaves the status of the Strait of Hormuz unresolved. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi traveled to Tehran on Thursday after meeting U.S. officials the previous week. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state television that “the problem is not passing messages. The problem is America’s outlook, which is illogical, greedy and controlling.”

Israel has continued operations in Lebanon after several U.S.-brokered cease-fire arrangements. The Lebanese Health Ministry reports more than 4,000 deaths in Lebanon since March 2. Iran has maintained that any lasting agreement must address the situation in Lebanon.

Trump also said on Thursday that frozen Iranian assets under U.S. sanctions control could be used to cover damage to ships. Those funds had been scheduled for release under the earlier memorandum. Araghchi stated on Friday that “seizing another nation’s assets to pay for unrelated future claims is an incendiary precedent” and that “ensuing chaos will not be pretty or peaceful.”