While the US President has long issued threats to finish off the war for good through some kind of devastating attack, this has not yet come to pass.

Instead, the two countries have been trading occasional strikes in the Strait of Hormuz – with neither appearing to make any kind of decisive breakthrough.

Now, however, the regime’s highest operational headquarters has claimed that it has intelligence that the US plans to resume striking Iran.

It is also believed to have placed its military on high alert in anticipation of US strikes.

On Sunday Mr Trump told Fox News he was now in “deciding mode”.

“Very big things are going to be happening in the not-so-distant future,” he hinted.

The President said he had three options on the table: “Wiping Iran out, letting them rot economically or making a deal”

“My question is if and when do I blow the entire nation up?” he added.

Iran has again vowed it will attack American bases in the region if Mr Trump follows through.

And this time, it threatened not to exercise “restraint or decency” against its neighbours if they back US strikes on Iran.

One of those neighbours could be Saudi Arabia, which is waging a stumbling campaign against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels which could have devastating consequences on Britain.

The RAC last week warned there was “no sign of any relief” for motorists in the UK after unleaded petrol prices rose by 5p a litre within a matter of days.

The group has launched missiles and drones against Saudi capital Riyadh after blitzing their way through to the Red Sea coast in Yemen earlier this month.

They now enjoy control over all shipping between the Red Sea and Asia, and could blockade the waterway if they so choose.

Iran is still blockading most shipping in the Strait of Hormuz on the other side of Saudi Arabia – meaning the country’s energy exports have been almost entirely cut off from global markets.

As a result, US embassies across the Middle East pushed out security alerts for Americans in the area warning of the “potential for unforeseen escalation” and urging “heightened vigilance”.

“Be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions,” the notice said.

The States’ virtual embassy in Iran warned: “Do not travel to Iran for any reason. US citizens should leave Iran now,” in a security alert last night.

Donald Trump Considers ‘Blowing Up Entire Nation’ of Iran as Tehran Gears Up for Imminent Escalation

Donald Trump has issued one of his starkest warnings yet over Iran, saying he is considering options that include destroying the Iranian regime or allowing the country’s economy to deteriorate under continued pressure.

The US president’s remarks came as Tehran warned that any renewed American military assault could trigger a wider regional conflict. Iranian military officials said they had received information suggesting that Washington was preparing to resume strikes, while the United States has continued to weigh military, economic and diplomatic options.

Speaking to Fox News, Trump said he was in “deciding mode” over what to do next. He described three broad possibilities: reaching a deal with Tehran, allowing Iran’s economy to “rot” under pressure, or “wiping” out the regime.

Asked about the possibility of a much larger military operation, Trump reportedly said: “My question is, if and when do I blow the entire nation up? They better behave.” The comments were reported by CBS News and other outlets after an interview with Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst.

The extraordinary language has intensified concern about the possibility of a new phase of the conflict.

Tehran warns of a wider war

Iran’s response was equally confrontational.

Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, which oversees the country’s armed forces, said it had received information indicating that the United States was preparing to restart attacks.

Tehran warned that any new American assault would be met with retaliation against US bases and interests across the Middle East.

Iranian officials also warned countries in the region against allowing their territory or facilities to be used to support American military operations. According to Al Jazeera, Tehran said states that assisted a US attack could themselves be considered complicit and potentially face Iranian retaliation.

An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesman separately warned that Iran was prepared for a long-term conflict and could respond with new weapons and an expansion of the geographical scope of the war.

CBS News reported that the IRGC threatened to expand what it called the “geography” of the conflict if the United States launched another assault.

The warnings have raised concerns that another round of direct US-Iran fighting could rapidly involve other countries and military forces in the region.

Trump leaves the door open to diplomacy

Despite the severity of his rhetoric, Trump has not ruled out negotiations.

The president said he remained open to making a deal with Tehran and indicated that he could meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Pezeshkian is expected to travel to New York for the UN gathering, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also travelled to the United States for diplomatic meetings.

That creates an unusual situation in which threats of renewed military action are unfolding at almost exactly the same time as diplomatic contacts are being discussed.

Iran has communicated conditions for renewed negotiations through mediators, including Qatar and Pakistan. According to Al Jazeera, Tehran has demanded an end to the war and US attacks, the release of frozen Iranian funds and the lifting of the American naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Whether those demands can be reconciled with Washington’s objectives remains uncertain.

Trump has repeatedly insisted that Iran must not obtain a nuclear weapon and has argued that strong pressure is necessary to achieve that goal.

The Strait of Hormuz remains central

One of the most important issues in the confrontation is the Strait of Hormuz.

The strategic waterway is one of the world’s most important energy routes, carrying a significant share of global oil and gas shipments.

The conflict has already disrupted shipping through the region. Reuters reported that oil exports have been severely affected, with both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait facing major disruption.

A vessel travelling through the Strait of Hormuz was also struck by an unidentified projectile, injuring two crew members, according to a British maritime security agency cited by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

The security situation has therefore become an international economic issue rather than simply a dispute between Washington and Tehran.

Any prolonged closure or disruption of Hormuz could place additional pressure on global energy markets, shipping companies and consumers.

That is one reason European and Middle Eastern governments have been seeking ways to prevent the conflict from spreading further.

Regional tensions are already increasing

The latest confrontation is occurring against a wider backdrop of regional instability.

Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen have intensified attacks, including strikes connected to the broader conflict. Reuters reported that Houthi attacks on Riyadh had contributed to a further escalation between Iran, the United States and regional powers.

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states have consequently found themselves increasingly exposed to the consequences of the conflict.

The United States has issued security warnings concerning the possibility of further attacks and disruption.

At the same time, several governments are attempting to protect critical energy infrastructure and maintain freedom of navigation.

French President Emmanuel Macron said France and the United States had agreed to cooperate on protecting navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and critical infrastructure in the Middle East.

The initiative highlights the international dimension of the crisis.

Washington faces a difficult calculation

For Trump, the central question is how far the United States should go to force Tehran to make concessions.

Military action could place additional pressure on Iran but also risk expanding the conflict.

Economic pressure could damage Iran’s ability to finance military operations, but it could take time to produce political results.

Negotiations could potentially provide a route towards de-escalation, but Washington and Tehran remain far apart over the conditions for talks.

Trump’s latest comments suggest that all three approaches remain under consideration.

The president has also previously threatened harsher military action if Iran retaliates against US operations.

Earlier in September, US forces conducted strikes against Iranian military targets including air-defence systems, radar installations and maritime assets. Iran subsequently launched missiles and drones at targets across the region. Reuters reported that the renewed fighting pushed oil prices higher and raised concerns about the security of the Strait of Hormuz.

That history is important because the current threats are not occurring in isolation.

The region has already experienced repeated cycles of military action, threats and attempted negotiations.

Tehran prepares for another escalation

Iranian officials appear to be preparing for the possibility that those cycles could begin again.

The IRGC has said that it is prepared for a long conflict, while Iranian military authorities have warned that any new US attack could produce a broader response.

Iran has also warned neighbouring countries against providing support for American operations.

Such statements increase the pressure on governments hosting US military facilities, particularly Gulf states that maintain close security relationships with Washington.

At the same time, Tehran’s willingness to communicate through mediators indicates that diplomatic channels have not completely disappeared.

That combination of military preparation and diplomatic engagement is one of the defining features of the current crisis.

A high-stakes moment at the United Nations

The timing of the confrontation is particularly significant because world leaders are gathering in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

Trump is scheduled to hold a series of meetings with foreign leaders, with Iran and other Middle Eastern conflicts among the major issues confronting his administration.

Reuters reported that Trump’s UN schedule includes meetings with Gulf leaders as well as discussions of the wars in Iran and Ukraine.

A meeting between Trump and Pezeshkian could potentially create an opportunity for direct political communication.

However, the public positions of the two governments remain sharply opposed.

Trump is demanding that Tehran change course, while Iranian officials are insisting that US military action and economic pressure must end before meaningful negotiations can proceed.

What happens next?

The immediate question is whether the current threats translate into renewed military operations.

Trump has not announced a definitive decision to launch a new nationwide attack. His comments instead indicate that he is considering several options, including diplomacy and continued economic pressure.

Iran, meanwhile, says it is preparing for the possibility of further US strikes and has warned that the consequences could extend across the region.

That leaves the situation highly uncertain.

The language coming from both Washington and Tehran is increasingly severe, but diplomatic channels remain open. Qatar and other intermediaries are attempting to facilitate discussions, while European governments are seeking to protect shipping and energy infrastructure.

The next few days could therefore be important.

If negotiations resume, the immediate escalation could potentially be contained. If talks fail and military action restarts, the consequences could extend well beyond Iran and the United States.

The Strait of Hormuz, Gulf energy infrastructure, American military bases and regional shipping routes could all become increasingly exposed.

For now, Trump’s statement about potentially “blowing the entire nation up” represents a dramatic expression of the choices he says are before him, rather than an announcement that the United States has decided to destroy Iran.

But Tehran is treating the possibility of renewed American military action seriously.

With Iranian forces preparing for what they describe as a possible new assault, US officials weighing their next move and diplomats gathering at the UN, the confrontation has reached another potentially decisive stage.

The immediate challenge for both sides is to determine whether their threats will lead to further escalation or whether the remaining diplomatic channels can prevent another major expansion of the conflict.