Trump weighs Iran decision: ‘easy way or hard way’

President Donald Trump said on Saturday, Oct. 3, that he has "a decision that I'll make about Iran." Speaking to reporters at the White House before leaving for midterm campaign stops in Ohio, he said Iran had been "decimated" and added: "the only question is, it'll either be the easy way or the hard way. We'll have it the easy or the hard way." He also said Iran was "virtually giving up" plans to get a nuclear weapon.iranintl+1

Trump did not say what either path would involve. Seoul Economic Daily reported that his words were taken to mean either a deal to end the war or a return to large-scale military operations. On Oct. 1 he had described the choice as Iran either signing an agreement or ceasing to exist. The war is now in its seventh month, and the remarks come as Washington moves more forces into the region while talks remain stuck.sedaily+1

Military buildup and a Camp David meeting

US officials say the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group and the USS Makin Island amphibious readiness group are heading to the Middle East with more than 7,000 sailors and 2,000 Marines. The carriers USS George H.W. Bush and USS George Washington are already there, along with the USS Boxer group. If the deployments overlap, the US could have three carrier strike groups and two amphibious groups in the region by the end of October. More Patriot air-defense systems have also been sent to protect energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and Qatar.iranintl

Citing Axios, Iran International reported that Vice President JD Vance led an unannounced meeting of senior national security officials at Camp David on Friday, Oct. 2. Iran and the Houthis in Yemen were discussed. The White House has not said whether anything was decided. Some of the moving forces may simply be replacing units that have been in the region for months.iranintl

Trump told TIME this week that renewed military action after the November midterms was "possible" if no acceptable deal is reached: "I believe right after the election we'll win, but maybe before the election." Seoul Economic Daily reported that he had earlier turned down a seven-day ceasefire proposed by Tehran.sedaily+1

Economic squeeze on Tehran

Talks have stalled, with Qatar trying to close the gaps between the two sides. Meanwhile, a US naval blockade is cutting off Iran's crude exports and inflation is close to 90%, according to Bloomberg. The Statistical Center of Iran said consumer prices in September were 89.8% higher than a year earlier. This week the Treasury Department extended its sanctions campaign to Iran's automotive and rail industries.japantimes+1

Iran still has missiles and drones that can threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and infrastructure across the region. That leaves Trump weighing the risks of either choice. Asked on Friday what he planned to do, he would say only: "You'll see."iranintl