Washington: US President Donald Trump threatened Tehran and the Houthis in Yemen with “major military punishment,” but again left the door open for a diplomatic agreement with Iran. Trump attended a White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Friday evening, which had been rescheduled from April after a shooting incident disrupted the initial event. “The Iranians are currently in contact with us, but I don’t think they are ready to make a deal,” Trump said in his remarks at the dinner. He added, “Iran doesn’t have many drones left.” Trump emphasized that “Iran would have used nuclear weapons if it had them.”

According to National Iraqi News Agency, on Friday, Trump said he had not yet made a decision regarding broader strikes against Iran, as Tehran appeared “more serious” in talks with Washington. Asked by reporters in the Oval Office whether he had made a decision, following reports that he had met with his top advisors to discuss a large-scale military operation against Iran, he said, “I haven’t made a decision yet. We are talking to them now.” Trump further elaborated, “I think they are showing more seriousness day by day.”

He explained, “Iran has two options: either to reach an agreement, or to face a much more violent level of strikes.” The situation remains tense as diplomatic and military strategies are weighed, with the potential for significant geopolitical consequences hanging in the balance.