Trump says he is close to launching 'massive attack' on Iran, 'bigger than ever before'

ByJERUSALEM POST STAFFJULY 23, 2026 18:51Updated: JULY 23, 2026 19:37US President Donald Trump is close to making a decision on whether to launch a new major combat operation against Iran, he told Axios on Thursday."I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it," he said.Trump added that Israel "would join in two minutes if I ask them to," but that there would be "consequences" to it joining the strikes, and that the United States didn't need any assistance.His relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said, was very good. "Relations with Bibi are very good. I would meet with him if he is here," he stated.Motorists drive their vehicles past a political billboard featuring US President Donald Trump and the Strait of Hormuz along Valiasr Square in Tehran on May 26. (credit: Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images)Iran wants to negotiate, Trump saysDuring the interview with Axios, Trump also said that Iran wants to negotiate, but that they "haven't received enough pain yet."Two regional sources corroborated that the Iranian leadership was "not being helpful" in negotiations, and had not accepted the latest proposal.Follow us on Google