Trump Weighs Renewed Iran War, Says 'You'll Know Soon Enough'

President Trump said on Thursday, November 5, that a decision on resuming the war with Iran is coming. In the Oval Office he said, "I would rather not destroy the rest of the country, if possible, but maybe I'll have to. And you'll know soon enough," Anadolu Agency reported. Fox News carried nearly the same words. Trump met with his national security team that day, Fox News reported.

Accounts of the military posture come mostly from unnamed officials. Axios, as cited by Fox News, reported that US Central Command is finalizing preparations for major operations but has no new order from Washington. Officials also pointed to the November 9 new moon as favorable for operations, Fox News said. The Pentagon has described recent strikes as defensive. The numbers do not all match either. Trump said 18 Americans have been killed, Fox News reported, while CBS News put the Pentagon's official count at 23 as of October 30.

Talks have not ended. Reuters, citing a senior Iranian official, reported that Tehran sent a nuclear proposal to Washington through Qatar and that the US is reviewing it. No details of the proposal are public. Iran's Mohsen Rezaei said Tehran has "announced seven conditions to the Americans" and tied talks to reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Israel National News, citing Reuters, named three of them: lifting sanctions, releasing frozen funds and paying for war damage.

Shipping attacks continue, but the counts are hard to confirm. UK Maritime Trade Operations said a tanker was hit by two unidentified projectiles about 50 nautical miles north of Madinat ash Shamal, Qatar, late on November 4. Drop Site News and Al Jazeera both reported that incident, and the damage and crew status were unknown. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed more tankers hit mines on November 5 and two more on November 6. CBS News said maritime officials have not confirmed the November 6 claim. Al Jazeera noted that UKMTO has said most ships now refuse to report attacks, so any tally may be incomplete.

For an American household, the first effect usually shows up at the pump. Brent crude traded near $100 a barrel early Friday, up from about $94 midweek, and that figure will keep moving with each headline. Trouble in the Strait of Hormuz tends to reach US prices fast. A soft week at the pump gives you a chance to top off before a gas shortage empties local stations. If you heat with oil or drive a diesel, price your next fill now so a spike does not catch your budget short.

Wider fighting could also bring cyber attacks and new travel alerts, which the Iran retaliation threat lays out. If you have family serving in the region, agree now on how you will share news with each other. Reports will land fast and many will conflict. Identifying misinformation starts with waiting for a second source before you act.

Where it stands now: as of Friday morning no new order has been announced, the US is reviewing Iran's proposal, and Iran still holds to its conditions on Hormuz. Expect these details to change quickly. Walk through your family emergency plan this weekend so everyone knows the first three steps. Be Prepared Not Scared!