Trump's Chilling Warning to Iran: 'It Gets Really Bad Next Week' as US Eyes Wider Military Offensive

The United States appears to be entering a new phase of its military campaign against Iran, with President Donald Trump warning that "it gets really bad" for Tehran next week unless it agrees to negotiate over its nuclear programme. The warning comes amid reports that the Trump administration is preparing a broader military offensive against Iran, signalling a shift beyond the current operations focused on the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Axios, Trump outlined the next phase of the campaign during a high-level meeting in the White House Situation Room on Wednesday. Senior officials reportedly discussed expanding military operations with the aim of increasing pressure on Tehran and forcing it back to the negotiating table.

The proposed strategy is reportedly designed to compel Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and accept Washington's demands over its nuclear programme.

Trump also publicly suggested targeting Iran's heavily fortified Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility. Speaking on Tuesday, he said the underground site could receive "a nice, big, fat shot" unless Tehran fully opened its nuclear programme to international scrutiny.

If approved, the expanded campaign would move beyond maritime security operations and strikes on military assets, potentially targeting key strategic infrastructure.

Trump further warned that next week "it gets really bad" if Iran continues to reject negotiations. According to the President, US officials have already conveyed a direct message to Tehran: strike a deal or "you won't have anything left."

The United States has already carried out four consecutive days of strikes targeting Iranian military infrastructure. According to information released by US authorities, the attacks have focused on air defence systems, radar installations, anti-ship missile sites and drone facilities. Washington has also enforced a naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Reports suggest the next phase of the campaign could extend to strategic infrastructure, including power plants, bridges and other critical facilities, should Iran refuse to return to negotiations.

In a notable shift in tactics, the US military confirmed on Wednesday that it had begun conducting airstrikes against Iranian targets during daylight hours.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the latest wave of attacks in an online statement, marking a departure from recent operations that had largely been carried out under the cover of darkness.

"The strikes are designed to further degrade military capabilities Iranian forces have used to attack commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz," CENTCOM said.

The move signals an increase in both the pace and intensity of US military operations.

The renewed offensive follows the collapse of an informal understanding between Washington and Tehran that had largely prevented direct military escalation for nearly 90 days beginning in April.

With that arrangement now over, the United States appears to have entered what officials describe as the second phase of its military campaign against Iran.

While Washington says its objective remains to pressure Tehran over its nuclear programme and regional activities, the latest developments suggest the conflict is entering a far more dangerous phase, with military operations expanding in both scope and frequency and Trump warning that even tougher action could follow if negotiations fail.

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