Amid an escalating war of words, Trump also faces questions over who leaked plans for a canceled strike so sensitive that even Israel's own leadership found out through his Truth Social posts.
President Trump escalated his rhetoric toward Iran Monday, telling reporters in the Oval Office that Tehran faces “every last chance before decapitation” if it does not reach a deal — a term that in military terms refers to strikes aimed at a country's top leadership and command structure. “This is a last chance for them to sign a good document,” Trump said, according to Euronews.
Hours later, Britain's UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that a cargo vessel was struck by an “unknown projectile” in the Strait of Hormuz early Tuesday, off the coast of Oman — a potential sign of on-the-water escalation even as Trump described talks as ongoing.
Trump insisted negotiations with Iran are actively underway, saying “we are talking right now,” and that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz could happen “literally by tomorrow” as “phase one” of a broader deal, with Iranian denuclearization to follow as a second phase he acknowledged would “take a little while.” Iran's Foreign Ministry has continued to deny that any such negotiations with Washington are taking place, maintaining its only active talks concern a shipping corridor with Oman.
Trump said he agreed to keep pursuing talks rather than resume the planned strike at the request of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and other regional partners.
The Leak Controversy
The renewed threats come as Trump continues to face questions over who leaked details of the military operation he called off over the weekend — an operation he described as “by far, the biggest attack since World War II.” Speaking aboard Air Force One and in the Oval Office in recent days, Trump said U.S. forces had been “locked and loaded” and ready to proceed before he held the operation after appeals from Iran and Gulf allies including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar.
Trump condemned whoever leaked the plan, calling them “sleaze bags” and “leakers,” while separately suggesting the disclosure may have inadvertently underscored to Iran the severity of the threat it faced.
The secrecy breach reportedly extended even to Israel's own leadership. Citing senior defense and diplomatic officials, Israel's Channel 12 reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz and other senior officials learned Trump had called off the strike primarily through his Truth Social post rather than advance formal notification — leaving them, in one official's words, “in real uncertainty” for hours. “The feeling was, they left us behind,” the official said.
Israeli officials initially suspected the cancellation announcement might be a ruse meant to lower Iran's guard, before Washington confirmed the strike had genuinely been called off.
What's Next
The war between the U.S., Israel and Iran has continued in various forms since February 28, when the two countries launched surprise strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. More than five months later, Iran retains the ability to fire missiles and drones at U.S. and allied targets in the region. Trump has said U.S. forces remain prepared to act if a deal is not reached, while Iran continues to dispute that any deal, or active negotiation, exists at all.
Sources:
Euronews — Trump warns Iran facing 'last chance before decapitation,' says negotiations are ongoing
The Hill — Trump says Iran facing 'last chance' before 'decapitation'
Salon — 'Last chance before decapitation': Trump threatens Iran over stalled peace talks
Inkl — Trump says canceled Iran attack would have been biggest since World War II
Times of Israel — Israel found out Trump canceled major Iran attack through his Truth Social post
Türkiye Today — Israel learned of Trump's Iran strike cancellation through social media