In an interview with Fox News, US President Donald Trump addressed the heightened tensions surrounding Iran and stated that he has entered a crucial decision-making phase, warning Tehran of severe consequences if local authorities do not alter their current course.
"My problem is when, and if, I should destroy the whole country. They had better behave themselves," the head of the White House said.
He outlined several potential courses of action regarding Tehran, noting that Washington could "destroy" the country, allow its economy to "rot," or attempt to strike a deal. Trump also added that very serious developments are expected in the near future.
At the same time, the US President did not rule out the possibility of diplomatic engagement with the Iranian leadership. Referring to the upcoming events at the UN General Assembly, he noted that he would likely be open to meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Touching upon the broader regional situation, Trump mentioned that the US has been in continuous contact with Yemen's Houthis following missile strikes on Saudi Arabia, adding that the Houthis have agreed to refrain from military actions against American forces.
Trump's statements reflect a dual posture of rigid military threats alongside a readiness to negotiate—a hallmark of American pressure tactics in foreign policy.
The mention of a potential dialogue with Iran indicates that diplomatic channels are not entirely closed, while the understanding reached with the Houthis aims to mitigate direct risks for US troops.
Upcoming developments will largely depend on potential interactions within the framework of the UN General Assembly and Tehran's response.
