Trump: 3 Options for Iran - Destroy It, Let It Rot Economically, or an Agreement

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he has three options regarding Iran, and that he is in a "decision-making phase," indicating that "very big things" will happen in the near future, according to a report by "Fox News" during an interview with the network on Sunday.

Trump explained that the options currently available to him are to "completely eliminate Iran," or to let it "rot economically," or to reach an agreement. He added, according to the network's correspondent Trey Yingst: "My question is: whether and when I will destroy the entire state, they have to behave properly."

The U.S. president did not specify a timeline for the upcoming developments, while the United Nations General Assembly meetings are taking place this week, with the participation of Iranian officials in New York. He said he might be open to meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who will participate in the meetings.

Trump confirmed that there are currently no direct communications between the United States and Iran regarding the possibility of reaching an agreement, according to the correspondent, while some Iranian officials have expressed their openness to such an agreement.

The U.S. president described the current weekend as no different from any other weekend, despite warnings issued to American citizens across the region.

The network pointed out that there are several intertwined files in the scene, as the situation is not limited to the issue with Iran and the continuation of the American naval blockade, but also includes the attacks by the Houthis in Yemen, who targeted Saudi Arabia with ballistic missiles.

However, Trump confirmed that Washington is in "constant contact" with the Houthis, and they agreed not to fight the United States.

America warned of the dangers of the military escalation taking place in Yemen, considering that the advance of the Houthi group and the expansion of its influence near the Bab al-Mandab Strait threaten regional security and global trade.

Trump spoke about some of the challenges his administration faces in dealing with the Iranian side, saying that some officials "hide like rats," referring to the difficulty of reaching individuals capable of sitting at the negotiating table and concluding an agreement.

According to the network, the Trump administration is dealing with two groups within Iran: the first includes the more moderate voices, including President Beizhakian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, while the second includes the hardline officials in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, who continue to attack American forces across the Middle East.

The network's correspondent reported that the American naval blockade is affecting the Iranian economy, quoting U.S. Central Command "CENTCOM" Commander Admiral Brad Cooper as saying that more than one billion barrels of crude oil have been secured out of the Arabian Gulf since the start of the blockade, undermining Iran's efforts to stabilize its economy.

"Fox News" pointed out that the coming days will remain highly tense, with U.S. forces deployed throughout the region, as the situation continues in a "vicious cycle" where Iran claims it wants an agreement, while officials from the Revolutionary Guard launch missiles towards U.S. forces.

The network's correspondent added that there is currently no clear path to exit the conflict with Iran, noting that Trump has proposed what he sees as three potential scenarios for the next phase: "eliminating the Iranians," as he put it, or allowing them to "rot economically," or ultimately reaching an agreement.