Trump says considering 'massive attack' on Iran, Tehran 'hasn't received enough pain yet'

U.S. President Donald Trump said he will soon decide whether to launch a "massive attack" on Iran, as the conflict in the Middle East expands to a new front in the Red Sea.

In an interview with Axios on Thursday, Trump said the proposed strikes would be larger than any seen in the war so far, adding that Iran has not "received enough pain yet."

"I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it."

Trump did not provide a deadline for his decision. He said Israel would join the operation "in two minutes if I ask them to," but acknowledged that Israel could face retaliation from Iran if it participated.

The president also reiterated that Iran "want to negotiate," but told Axios that Tehran is not yet ready to strike a deal with the U.S.

U.S. Military Operations Intensify

U.S. forces have struck Iranian targets over the past two weeks, with Central Command completing a 13th consecutive night of strikes overnight.

On Thursday, Trump said he would hold Iran responsible for further attacks by Yemen's Tehran-backed Houthis, after the militant group claimed to have struck two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea.

"If they do this again, the U.S. will hold Iran responsible, in that the Houthis are a Surrogate and/or Proxy of Iran, and major military punishment will be inflicted upon Iran and, of course, the Houthis, themselves."

— Donald Trump, Truth Social post

The Houthis declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia on Monday, threatening to cut off the kingdom's oil exports through the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb strait.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard said Thursday that it had attacked U.S. military facilities at an American base in Jordan, according to state media.

Rubio: ‘A Head for an Eye’

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Trump's approach to the Iran war as "a head for an eye."

"Honestly, that's what it's going to be. They will pay a very heavy price for the things they're doing. They're already paying a very heavy price."

Oil Markets React

Oil prices fell by around 1% on Friday morning, but remained on track for a weekly rise of 10%.

• Brent crude (global benchmark): above $99 per barrel
• West Texas Intermediate (U.S. benchmark): $91.08 per barrel

Iran Threatens Europe

The U.K. said it "stands ready 24/7 to defend itself" after Iran labeled the country an "accomplice" to the U.S. over the use of British military bases by American forces.

Shortly after the U.S.-Iran war began, the U.K. granted permission for the U.S. to use British bases for defensive operations. That agreement was extended last week and has not been changed by the U.K.'s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.

Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Thursday:

"Any party that, in any manner, participates in military aggression against Iran will bear responsibility for the consequences and repercussions of its decision."

The statement added:

"The British government has chosen to align itself with the aggressors, reducing its standing to that of an accomplice of the United States and Israel in a brutal war against the..."