Iran's Revolutionary Guard warned Monday that the world “will be astonished” by new weapons Tehran will unleash if the war with the U.S. escalates further — hours after President Trump said he's in “deciding mode” among three stark options for his next move, as fresh tanker strikes hit the Strait of Hormuz and a new round of U.S. sanctions loomed.
Why it matters: The dueling ultimatums — an Iranian threat of unspecified “new weapons” and Trump's own framing of his choices as annihilation, economic strangulation, or a deal — raise the stakes just as both countries' leaders converge on New York this week for the UN General Assembly, with Tuesday's and Wednesday's dueling speeches now shadowed by a war nearing its seventh month.
Driving the news:
IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi said Monday, per Iran International citing Iran's Fars news agency: “We will introduce new weapons with new capabilities into the battle, and the world will be astonished.”
Trump told Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst on Sunday he's weighing three options: “Wipe it out, let it rot with the economy, or make a deal.”
Two tankers were struck by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz Monday — one left two crew members with minor injuries, the other an LPG carrier that reported no injuries or environmental impact; both vessels continued under their own power.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced secondary sanctions, effective Wednesday, cutting off U.S. dollar-system access for any air service provider — fuel, landing services, ticket sales — that works with Iranian airlines.
The U.S. Virtual Embassy for Iran urged Americans still in the country to leave immediately.
By the numbers:
Oil prices (Brent and WTI) fell below $100 a barrel — a 12-day low — as Saudi Aramco loaded 14 million barrels for export Sunday and diplomatic optimism grew.
2 days until the new airline sanctions take effect (Wednesday).
Nearly 7 months into the active U.S.-Iran war.
What they're saying: “The president is always open to a deal,” U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz said Monday on “Fox & Friends,” adding that any Iranian negotiators would need real authority to speak for Iran's Supreme Leader for talks to go anywhere.
The other side: Tehran isn't backing down from Trump's ultimatum. Mohebbi said Iran has retained additional targets it hasn't yet struck and is prepared for a prolonged conflict, framing the new-weapons threat as proof the regime can outlast U.S. pressure rather than fold under it.
What's next:
Wednesday: the new Iranian-airline sanctions take effect.
Tuesday: Trump addresses the UN General Assembly.
Wednesday: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addresses the UN General Assembly.
The bottom line: With Tehran vowing weapons that will “astonish” the world and Trump publicly weighing everything from wiping out the regime to cutting a deal, the next two days — as both leaders take the UN podium — could determine whether the nearly seven-month war escalates further or finds an opening.
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