President Trump [AFP=Yonhap News]

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on the 23rd (local time) that he is "considering a massive attack" on Iran, adding that it would be "bigger than anything done before."

In an interview with the U.S. online media outlet Axios that day, President Trump remarked, "I am on the verge of making a decision (on an attack). We are fully prepared."

The U.S. has been conducting airstrikes against Iran for 12 consecutive days. Axios reported that President Trump’s remarks imply an intention to launch an attack on a larger scale than the "Operation Magnificent Rage" during the full-scale war with Iran, rather than limited airstrikes.

President Trump also noted that "if I asked, Israel would join (in an attack on Iran) within two minutes," while simultaneously stating that "we don't need anyone" to attack Iran.

Axios reported that President Trump acknowledged the possibility of Iranian retaliation, stating there would be "consequences" if Israel were to join in an attack on Iran.

President Trump mentioned that Iran "wants to negotiate," but stated that he is not ready to reach an agreement with Iran at this time, asserting that "they (Iran) have not suffered enough."

Prior to this, President Trump warned that if the pro-Iranian Houthi rebels in Yemen attack ships in the Red Sea again, he would take strong military action not only against the Houthis but also against Iran, which supports them.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, President Trump stated, "If they do this (attack merchant ships) again, the U.S. will hold Iran responsible, given that the Houthis are a proxy force for Iran."

He continued, "There will be severe military retaliation against Iran, and the Houthis themselves will also be targets," adding, "I am very disappointed because they have acted in a very professional and intelligent manner up until now."

The Houthis, who declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabian vessels in the Red Sea, announced that they had carried out military operations targeting two Saudi oil tankers that day. Saudi Arabia has been using alternative routes to transport crude oil westward through pipelines to export via the Red Sea after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz.

President Trump recalled, "A year ago, the U.S. attacked the Houthis very forcefully after they disrupted commerce and trade by firing on ships," noting, "Since then, and throughout our conflict with Iran, they have acted very responsibly. Unfortunately, they are starting again, and last night they fired on two Saudi vessels."

Last March, after the Houthis attacked ships passing through the Red Sea citing Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip, the U.S. sent an aircraft carrier to conduct airstrikes on Houthi strongholds.

Amid observations that a full-scale war between the U.S. and Iran may be imminent, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution on the same day requiring Congressional approval for a war with Iran by a vote of 214 to 208. The U.S. Senate is also expected to deliberate on a similar resolution soon, according to the AP news agency.