The Houthis Escalated In The Middle East. Trump Now Says He’s Considering a ‘Massive’ Attack

President Donald Trump told Axios that he is close to making a decision on whether to launch a "massive attack" against Iran as hostilities in the Middle East continue to escalate.

"I am considering a massive attack. Bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it," the president told the outlet.

He went on to say that Tehran wants to negotiate but he believes the regime has not "received enough pain yet."

Trump had earlier threatened to strike Iran if the Houthis again targeted vessels crossing through the Red Sea following an attack against tankers carrying Saudi oil.

"A year ago the United States of America attacked, very powerfully, the Houthis, for their interference with commerce and trade, by shooting at ships. Since that time, and during our conflict with Iran, they have acted very responsibly. Unfortunately, now they are starting up again, shooting at two Saudi Arabian ships last night," Trump said in a social media publication.

"Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if they do this again, the U.S. will hold Iran responsible, in that the Houthis are a Surrogate and/or Proxy of Iran, and major military punishment will be inflicted upon Iran and, of course, the Houthis, themselves, who I am very disappointed with in that they have, until now, acted very professionally and smart," he added.

Reuters detailed that Tehran flew military commanders and equipment to Yemen to help the Houthis enforce their blockade of Saudi oil going through the Red Sea. The outlet claimed that the flight took place on July 13 and involved at least 10 members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, including senior commanders.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio had also threatened Tehran, saying that the price the country will pay "will get higher every night" until authorities are ready to make a meaningful peace agreement.

"Iran is begging (for a deal) every day. The problem with Iran is every time they make a deal ... they either break it or they want to change it," Rubio said. "So now they're paying the price for it. And maybe they'll ​change their mind here over the next few days as they continue to suffer great losses."