President Donald Trump discussed potential military options against Iran during a phone call with Fox News reporter Trey Yingst on Sunday, September 20, 2026. The president stated that his considerations included "if and when" it would be necessary to "blow the entire nation up" if the Iranian government does not comply with his demands. According to Yingst, the president outlined three primary choices for dealing with Iran: "wiping them out," allowing the country to "rot economically," or reaching a diplomatic agreement.
The statement comes amid ongoing military conflict and stagnant diplomatic efforts. A ceasefire reached in April 2026 collapsed in July after Iranian forces attacked shipping vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. While the administration previously stated its objective was to prevent the redevelopment of Iran’s nuclear program, the president also mentioned "regime change" in earlier communications following the death of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, in February 2026. However, reports indicate his team has since largely moved away from that goal.
Public opinion regarding the conflict has shifted according to a Fox News poll released the weekend of September 20. The survey found that 71 percent of Americans believe the president lacks a plan to end the war. Additionally, 60 percent of voters now state that the decision to enter the war was incorrect, while approximately one-third maintain support for the action. Within the president's own party, 40 percent of Republicans surveyed expressed belief that there is no clear strategy for U.S. withdrawal.
The escalation of rhetoric and military activity comes as Pentagon estimates show tens of billions of dollars have been spent since the conflict began six months ago. The war has directly impacted U.S. defense stockpiles, with Tomahawk cruise missiles and THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Defense) interceptor systems reaching critical levels. This depletion affects U.S. allies, such as Ukraine, who rely on these weapons systems.
For U.S. households, the conflict is tied to economic changes, most notably at the gas pump. National average gas prices have remained above $4 per gallon, and there are concerns that renewed hostilities in the Strait of Hormuz could cause prices to rise further before the November midterm elections. While the administration's stated goal is nuclear non-proliferation, the poll indicates that cost of living and inflation have become the primary motivating factors for voters, surpassing the war itself in personal importance.
The conflict has also reignited regional instability, specifically involving Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia. Although U.S. and Houthi officials met in Oman one week ago to discuss resumed hostilities, they affirmed that U.S. and neutral vessels would not be targeted as long as the U.S. remained on the sidelines of that specific fight. The next major milestone for the administration’s policy will be the upcoming midterm elections in November 2026.