Iran ready to escalate war Trump says will end after U.S. midterms
Hostilities between the U.S. and Iran show little sign of easing, with the war now into its seventh month.
An Iranian flag flutters in the wind as ships remain anchored on May 16 in the Strait of Hormuz near Larak Island, Iran. | BLOOMBERG
BLOOMBERG
Sep 10, 2026
Iran is ready for a more intense war and will escalate counterstrikes if the U.S. continues attacking its territory and infrastructure, according to a senior official from the Islamic Republic.
Tehran has no intention of backing down in the face of a U.S. naval blockade and attacks on its oil tankers, said the official, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive matters. Economic pain may be increasing, they said, but the country’s leaders see the war with the U.S. as posing an existential threat that leaves them little choice but to keep fighting.
The comments come as hostilities between the U.S. and Iran show little sign of easing, with the war now into its seventh month. Overnight, Washington said one of its warships had to evade an Iranian attack, and that it destroyed five of the Islamic Republic’s energy tankers in response. Tehran then fired around 20 missiles at a Jordanian air base used by the U.S. and attacked more U.S. Navy ships, as well as several commercial vessels.
In a time of both misinformation and too much information,
quality journalism is more crucial than ever.
By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
SUBSCRIBE NOW