Trump weighs 'biggest yet' attack on Iran as oil tops $100 and Houthis strike Saudi tankers
The US president told Axios he is close to a decision on an attack larger than any in the nearly five-month war, while Brent crude passed $100 and Houthi rebels hit two Saudi tankers in the Red Sea.
Trump's threat
On 23 July 2026, President Donald Trump told Axios he is weighing a powerful military strike on Iran, describing it as "bigger than ever before" in the nearly five-month conflict. "I am close to making a decision. We are ready for it," he said. Two US officials confirmed that no final order has been given and the military has not received new commands. Trump added that Israel "would join within two minutes if I asked," but stressed that the United States does not need any partner to act. He acknowledged that Israeli involvement would carry "consequences," hinting that Iran could retaliate directly against Israel.
I am considering a powerful attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are ready for it.
Trump also assessed that Iranians "want to negotiate" but are not yet prepared to reach a deal. "They haven't felt enough pain yet," he said.
Regional escalation
The threat followed Houthi attacks on two Saudi tankers, the Encelia and Layla, in the Red Sea. Both vessels caught fire, though no casualties were reported. The Iran-backed Houthis had earlier declared a blockade of Saudi ports and threatened shipping through the Bab al-Mandab strait, a chokepoint for roughly 12% of global trade and about 25% of container traffic. According to Reuters, Tehran dispatched Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps personnel and military equipment to Yemen on 13 July.
Simultaneously, traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has again nearly ground to a halt. Brent crude oil prices surged past $100 per barrel. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned the Security Council that the region stands "on the brink of the unimaginable."
The region is on the brink of the unimaginable.
Political pushback and public opinion
The escalation is drawing resistance in Washington. The US House of Representatives narrowly passed a resolution (the second of its kind) aimed at halting American war operations in Iran, The Guardian reported. A July Ipsos poll found that only 28% of Americans believe the war with Iran is worth fighting, while 68% are opposed.
- Support war
- 28 %
- Oppose war
- 68 %
How the war restarted
Fighting resumed on 7 July after Iran attacked three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. That strike came less than a month after the 17 June preliminary US-Iran agreement that was supposed to end the war and restore pre-war shipping traffic within 30 days. The deal lacked detail, and Iran subsequently attempted to assert control over the entire strait, including its southern waters near Oman. When ships ignored Iranian threats, the US began shelling southern Iran and later expanded the scope of its strikes. US forces have been hitting targets in Iran for more than ten days, with the latest strikes occurring on 22 July. CENTCOM said the operations were aimed at limiting Tehran's ability to threaten commercial navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
- US and Iran sign preliminary agreement to end the war, with a 30-day timeline to restore pre-war traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran attacks three commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz; fighting resumes.
- Iran sends IRGC personnel and military equipment to Yemen, according to Reuters.
- US forces conduct further strikes on Iranian targets, with CENTCOM citing the need to limit threats to commercial shipping.
- Trump tells Axios he is considering a massive attack on Iran; Houthis hit two Saudi tankers in the Red Sea; Brent crude passes $100.
Netanyahu and Graham funeral
In the same Axios interview, Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to attend next week's farewell ceremonies for the late Senator Lindsey Graham in Washington. "Relations with Bibi are very good. I would meet with him if he is here," Trump said. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump will deliver a speech at Graham's funeral service at Washington National Cathedral on Tuesday.
