Image Credentials: Image Title: Trump Says Full-Scale War With Iran Could Resume if US Demands Are Not Met. Source: (chatgpt.com) Date: July 2026. Attribution: This image was created using AI-generated imagery (chatgpt.com) by Open Chronicle and does not depict a real-world scene.
By Open Chronicle News Desk with Agencies
US President Donald Trump has said he is prepared to resume a full-scale military campaign against Iran if ongoing negotiations fail to deliver what he described as complete American objectives, signaling that military action remains on the table despite a reported pause in US strikes.
Speaking during a telephone interview with French television channel LCI on Saturday, Trump said the United States would not hesitate to return to large-scale military operations should diplomatic efforts fall short.
His remarks came amid reports that the White House halted planned strikes on Iran after nearly two weeks of continuous military operations.
Trump: “If we don’t get 100% of what we want”
Asked whether the United States could resume military action against Iran, Trump gave an unequivocal response.
“If we don’t get 100% of what we want, absolutely,” he said when questioned about the possibility of restarting a full-scale war.
The comments underscore Washington’s continued willingness to combine diplomacy with military pressure as negotiations with Tehran continue.
Although Trump did not elaborate on what specific objectives constitute “100%” of US demands, previous administration statements have focused on Iran’s missile capabilities, regional military activities, maritime security and nuclear-related concerns.
Report says Trump halted planned strikes
According to a report by Axios, Trump instructed the US military not to carry out a new round of strikes against Iran on Friday.
The reported decision came after the United States had conducted military operations against Iranian targets for 13 consecutive days.
Trump had previously approved daily strike packages throughout the campaign but reportedly declined to authorize the latest planned operation.
It remains unclear whether the decision represents a temporary operational pause intended to support diplomatic efforts or signals a broader shift in US military strategy toward Iran.
Neither the White House nor the Pentagon immediately provided additional details regarding future military planning.
Diplomacy and pressure continue simultaneously
Trump has repeatedly maintained that diplomacy remains his preferred option while insisting that military force remains available if negotiations fail.
His latest remarks reflect a strategy combining diplomatic engagement with continued military pressure in an effort to influence Tehran’s calculations.
The United States and Iran remain engaged in indirect negotiations despite continued military tensions across the Middle East.
Recent weeks have seen repeated US strikes on Iranian military infrastructure alongside Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting American military facilities and shipping interests in the region.
Message to European allies
During the interview, Trump was asked whether he had a message for America’s European allies.
“They’re lucky they have me as their friend,” the president replied.
The comment comes as Washington and several European governments continue to coordinate on sanctions, regional security and diplomatic efforts related to Iran, although differences remain over trade policy and approaches toward the conflict.
Trump declines to discuss additional EU tariffs
Trump declined to comment when asked whether he was preparing additional tariffs against the European Union.
“I don’t want to comment on that. Thank you very much,” he said.
His refusal followed strong criticism directed at Brussels a day earlier.
On Friday, Trump threatened to impose substantial tariffs on EU imports after accusing European regulators of unfairly targeting major American technology companies through competition investigations and financial penalties.
Technology dispute fuels transatlantic tensions
In a post published on Truth Social, Trump criticized fines imposed by European authorities on several leading US technology firms, including Apple, Meta, Amazon and Google.
He described the penalties as “illegal and highly unethical.”
“The European Union will pay a very big price for this illegal and highly unethical conduct,” Trump wrote.
He also declared that the penalties “will be entirely reversed” and said his administration expected to impose “a substantial TARIFF” on the European Union “at the earliest possible moment.”
The dispute adds another layer of tension to US-EU relations at a time when both sides are also coordinating on security issues involving Russia, Ukraine and the Middle East.
Military pause leaves uncertainty
Despite reports of a pause in military operations, Trump’s comments suggest that Washington continues to view the threat of force as an important negotiating tool.
Whether the suspension of strikes develops into a lasting de-escalation or merely a temporary pause will likely depend on the progress of diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran in the coming days.
With regional tensions remaining high and military forces on alert across the Middle East, the possibility of renewed hostilities continues to weigh heavily on international efforts to prevent a broader conflict.