Trump Says U.S. Is Ready for Further Military Action Against Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday evening that the United States was prepared for further military action against Iran as his administration considered whether to expand its campaign. Speaking to reporters at the White House, he described the decision as whether to go further and ensure that the danger would not return. Trump said he would prefer to avoid destroying what remained of the country, but that additional action could become necessary. He said the United States was ready to complete its military course if required. “We are prepared and ready for action,” he said. His remarks described a possible next step rather than announcing a new attack. Earlier Thursday, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said he did not believe a decision on renewed military action had yet been made. He said Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would know whether operations were to resume, while describing diplomacy as the preferred option and military action as still available. Huckabee set out the American conditions as preventing an Iranian nuclear weapon, ending uranium enrichment and keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. He said Trump retained the right to use military force if diplomacy failed, and that Israel retained that right as well.