Trump Weighs ‘Big Decision’ On Iran Ahead of Gulf Leaders Meeting

President Donald Trump says he is approaching a major decision over whether to resume large-scale military attacks against Iran as the prolonged conflict enters what administration officials reportedly view as an increasingly unsustainable phase.Trump revealed the potential turning point ahead of a planned meeting with six Persian Gulf leaders who could help shape whether the United States pursues renewed diplomacy or escalates military operations.“I have a big decision coming up,” Trump told Axios before framing the choice as whether he wanted to “go in and annihilate” the Iranian regime or refrain from launching another major offensive.“Anything could happen with me,” Trump added while declining to say whether he expects to determine the administration’s next move before or after the November midterm elections.Trump is scheduled to meet Tuesday with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.The president said he wants to learn where the Gulf governments stand and how they are managing the regional consequences of the conflict before choosing his next course.Those nations could play an essential role in any renewed American military campaign because their territory, airspace, energy facilities and military installations could face Iranian retaliation.Saudi Arabia and Qatar reportedly expressed concern in August that Iran could attack regional oil and natural-gas infrastructure if the United States resumed full-scale combat operations.Trump subsequently held back from launching another major offensive while suspending negotiations with Tehran, expanding economic sanctions and continuing a naval blockade aimed at Iranian ports.