Trump says considering 'bigger' strikes in Iran

WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump said he is seriously considering restarting major combat operations in Iran, including strikes that would be bigger than the "Operation Epic Fury" launched on Feb 28, Axios reported on Thursday.

"I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it," Trump said in the interview, adding that Iran had not "received enough pain yet."

Israel "would join in two minutes if I ask them to," Trump said, admitting there would be "consequences" for Israel if it joined the strikes.

Trump didn't give a deadline for his decision, according to the report.

As of Wednesday, US forces had launched strikes against Iranian military targets for 12 consecutive days following the collapse of a June memorandum of understanding intended to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

International benchmark Brent crude rose to the highest level in two months, reaching 100 US dollars per barrel on Thursday morning after two Saudi oil tankers were hit in the Red Sea.

As many as 68 percent of US adults said the war with Iran was "not worth fighting," while only 28 percent said it was, according to a poll released by The Washington Post-Ipsos last week.