Donald Trump says decision on ‘massive attack’ against Iran is close

Key Points:

• President Donald Trump stated he is close to deciding on launching a "massive attack" against Iran, potentially larger than previous strikes in the ongoing conflict, while acknowledging the serious consequences such action would entail.
• The announcement follows recent Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea, with Trump threatening "major military punishment" against Iran and the Houthis, whom he described as Iranian proxies.
• The situation in the Middle East is escalating, with the UN Secretary-General warning the region is on the "edge of the unimaginable" due to mounting confrontations and crises feeding into each other.
• Several countries, including the UK and Germany, are withdrawing diplomatic and military personnel from the region amid rising tensions, and the US has warned Americans in the area of possible flight cancellations.
• Trump also linked US assistance to Saudi Arabia’s civilian nuclear program to Riyadh normalizing relations with Israel, a condition Saudi Arabia has not yet accepted, reflecting the complex diplomatic dynamics amid the conflict.