Washington, September 18, 2026:
U.S. President Donald Trump has said he is approaching a major decision over the next phase of the ongoing conflict with Iran, with the possibility of renewed large-scale military action being considered by Washington.

In an interview with Axios, Trump indicated that he was weighing whether to resume major attacks against Iran. His comments come as the conflict continues to affect security across the Middle East and disrupt commercial shipping through strategically important waterways.

The U.S. administration is also preparing for discussions with leaders of six Gulf countries—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman—during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York. Trump has indicated that regional partners’ views will be relevant to discussions about the future course of the conflict.

At the same time, diplomatic efforts remain part of the broader picture. Recent reporting indicates that Washington and Tehran have not resumed formal peace talks following the collapse of an interim arrangement reached earlier in the year. The conflict has also created continuing risks for energy supplies and maritime transportation in the region.

The situation remains fluid, with military options, regional security concerns and diplomatic efforts developing simultaneously. Any decision by Washington to expand or limit military operations could have wider implications for Middle Eastern security and global energy markets.