President Trump in a Sunday morning Fox News interview repeated some of his talking points about a big decision he is preparing to make regarding what comes next in the Iran war
He told the outlet he's currently in "deciding mode" on Iran and that "very big things" are coming, and once again suggested it would either involve major military escalation or else a drawdown in tensions.
The president said: "My question is, if and when do I blow the entire nation up? They better behave."
But he went from saying that he's mulling the destruction of an entire society, to then suggesting it could be the opposite - top negotiations could happen, to the point that he could meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
He said he might allow Iran to "rot" economically or else a deal could be forged, adding that "very big things are going to be happening in the not-so-distant future."
Interestingly, the US actually issued visas to allow Iranian top officials and diplomats to travel for the UN General Assembly meeting through this week. According to Iran's PressTV:
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to travel to New York to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly next week.
Pezeshkian is scheduled to address the General Assembly on Wednesday, September 23, where he’s expected to present the Islamic Republic’s stance on international developments and the US-Israeli war of aggression against the country.
On the sidelines of the gathering, the president is also expected to hold meetings and consultations with world leaders.
Trump was asked about the high level UN meeting which opens Monday, and surprisingly signaled a willingness to engage diplomatically, going so far as to say he would "probably be open" to meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
In Trump's mind, there seem to be three options on the table, or as he put it--"to obliterate Iran, letting it rot economically or reach a deal."
Iran has meanwhile over the weekend once again warned US allies in the region that they'll be considered "complicit" if the US resumes it military assault on the Islamic Republic. The Iranian military HQ stated that "any mistakes will result in painful attacks."
Tehran further indicated Sunday that it is still awaiting Trump's response to its conditions for ending the war. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf confirmed to AFP that Iran's demands were sent to Washington via the Qataris.
These conditions have been summarized as "the end of the war on all fronts, the release of frozen assets and the end of the naval blockade."
Releasing all frozen funds is a tall ask, given the White House has only become more aggressive it waging economic war on the Iranians. But Iran has blasted the theft and hijacking of its funds and sovereign assets.
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