Iran rejects US ceasefire proposal as Trump weighs expanded attack

President Donald Trump told Axios he is "close to making a decision" on a "massive attack" against Iran that would be "bigger than ever before," as the U.S. military completed its 13th consecutive night of strikes against Iranian military targets on Thursday.youtube+2

"I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it," Trump told the outlet. Two U.S. officials said no final decision had been made and no new military orders had been issued.srnnews

Trump said Israel "would join in two minutes if I ask them to," but stressed that "we don't need anybody" to launch a new operation against Iran. The remarks came as several Israeli municipalities opened public bomb shelters ahead of the weekend over concerns about a possible Iranian missile response.timesofisrael+2

Rubio's "Head for an Eye" Warning

Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the administration's military posture toward Iran as "a head for an eye" during remarks on Thursday, warning Tehran it would "pay a very heavy price" for attacks on Americans and U.S. interests. Speaking to reporters in the Philippines, Rubio added that "the cost will keep rising every single night" until Iran "comes to their senses."facebook+2

The escalatory language came as Brent crude oil prices surged past $100 per barrel, up roughly 40 percent since the conflict began in February, according to The New York Times.forbes

Iran Rejects Ceasefire as Stalemate Deepens

Iran on Thursday rejected a U.S. ceasefire proposal delivered by Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who traveled to Tehran carrying terms formulated after his meeting with Trump at the White House earlier this month, according to the Times of Israel, citing a New York Times report. Iranian officials said they were not interested in a "temporary deal" that fails to address the final status of the Strait of Hormuz, the key sticking point between the two sides.timesofisrael

Iran's foreign minister accused the United States of pursuing an "irrational" and "domineering" policy toward Tehran. The rejection underscored the deepening impasse: since a memorandum of understanding collapsed last month over control of the strait, the U.S. and Iran have exchanged fire for nearly two consecutive weeks, with CENTCOM saying its strikes are designed to "degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping."aljazeera+2

On Capitol Hill, the House voted Thursday to limit Trump's authority to pursue further military action against Iran, though the measure faces an uncertain path in the Senate.forbes