U.S. President Donald Trump stated he is weighing a "big decision" regarding the continuation of military operations against Iran. In an interview with Axios reported on Friday, September 18, 2026, the president said he is considering whether to resume large-scale attacks to end the conflict or to refrain from further escalation. These remarks followed a United Nations fact-finding mission report that detailed two U.S. airstrikes in February that may have constituted war crimes.
The UN report identified a U.S. strike on a primary school in Minab that reportedly killed more than 150 people, including approximately 120 children. A second strike cited by the mission hit a sports center in Lamerd, resulting in 22 civilian casualties. The UN mission stated the U.S. conducted the school strike despite a "substantial risk of striking a civilian object." The report also accused Iranian authorities of committing crimes against humanity during a crackdown on anti-government protests.
President Trump indicated he plans to consult with regional allies before finalizing his next steps. A meeting is scheduled for Tuesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman. The president stated he wants to determine the positions of these Gulf nations, noting that the U.S. has been "very protective of them" and would require their backing for resumed major combat operations.
In related regional developments, the U.S. State Department approved a $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets and related equipment to Saudi Arabia. The sale, which requires congressional approval, was requested by Saudi Arabia in early 2025. Additionally, the U.S. Treasury announced sanctions on BitBank, an Iranian cryptocurrency exchange. Officials alleged the exchange, controlled by Babak Zanjani, processed payments for the "Hormuz Safe Marine Services Authority" to facilitate safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, routing funds to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
For residents in the region, a resumption of large-scale military attacks would mean a direct change in the safety of civilian infrastructure, such as the schools and sports centers mentioned in the UN report. In the U.S., the decision will determine the level of military resources and personnel committed to the Middle East. Financial institutions and cryptocurrency users are also affected by the new sanctions against BitBank, which the U.S. Treasury claims has routed hundreds of millions of dollars to evade international restrictions.
The outcome of the upcoming meetings will set a precedent for U.S. engagement in the Middle East and the maintenance of Israel's "qualitative military edge" as Saudi Arabia seeks advanced weaponry. The next steps include the Tuesday meeting between President Trump and Gulf leaders in New York and the pending congressional review of the $24.3 billion Saudi arms deal. Meanwhile, the UN fact-finding report will be formally submitted to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.