Trump Weighs “Annihilate Iran” Option Amid Ongoing Conflict

On Thursday, President Donald Trump told Axios that he faces “a big decision” about whether to “go in and annihilate” Iran. He framed the choice as a personal judgment, saying that “anything could happen” with his decision. The remarks came as the United States entered the seventh month of a U.S.–Israeli war against Iran, a conflict Trump has described as necessary to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Common Dreams

A United Nations fact-finding mission reported “reasonable grounds to believe” the United States committed war crimes in two February strikes—one on the Shajareh Tayyebeh School in Minab and another on a sports complex and residential area in Lamerd—that killed at least 178 civilians, including 120 children. The same UN experts said the true death-and-injury toll is likely far higher than the Iranian government’s earlier estimate of “over 28,000” casualties.

Common Dreams

Human-rights group HRANA has counted “more than 3,000” Iranian deaths, while the Pentagon reports 18 U.S. service members killed and hundreds wounded. The conflict has cost the United States roughly $38 billion and has depressed traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital trade route.

The Independent

He also noted that “not one ship” has reached Iran since the start of the U.S. naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth earlier warned that U.S. The UN experts’ report linked these attitudes to the alleged war-crime violations.

Common Dreams

• “I have a big decision coming up. Do I want to go in and annihilate them, or do I not?” — Donald Trump, president

Common Dreams

• “It's a big decision. Anything could happen with me.” — Axios' Barak Ravid

Common Dreams

• “We have been very protective of them,” — Trump. US President Donald

The Jerusalem Post

• “I want to find out where they are and how they are doing. We have been very protective of them,” — Donald Trump, president

The Independent