Iran is preparing for a far bigger confrontation with the United States if Donald Trump orders another major military campaign, the Times of India (TOI) has reported on Friday, October 2, September 2026,
Senior Iranian officials told Reuters that Iran is reviewing plans for a response that could extend beyond US- linked targets, potentially hitting countries that assist American operations and even locations outside the Middle East.
Senior Iranian officials and another source familiar with the discussions said planning intensified after President Massoud Peschian returned from New York. No final decision has been made, but commanders reportedly believe another large-scale US attack must be met with something stronger than Iran’s previous response.
Iran analyst Hamid Raza Azizi told Reuters that appears determined not to answer even a limited American strike symbolically, but instead could escalate in an attempt to restore deterrence.
Two Iranian officials also said allied groups in Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq had been instructed to prepare for possible coordinated action stretching from the straight of Hormuz to American interests elsewhere.
At the same time, Thrron is still pursuing diplomacy, even though Iranian officials privately doubt it will succeed.
During the UN General Assembly, Iran submitted a 7-day proposal through Catherine mediators, offering to reopen Hormuz, and halt regional fighting if Washington ends its naval blockade, releases at least 12 billion in frozen Iranian assets, and grants relief from oil sanctions.
Trump publicly rejected the proposal, although Iranian state media later said a US response delivered through Cather was under review.
Washington reportedly wants Iran’s nuclear program included immediately, while Tyrron insists nuclear talks can begin only after its conditions are met.
