Trump Warns “Big Wave” Against Iran Coming Soon

U.S. President Donald Trump told CNN that the “big wave” of U.S. military action against Iran has not yet occurred. “We haven't even started hitting them hard. The big wave hasn't even happened. The big one is coming soon,” he said, emphasizing that further operations could intensify the conflict. Trump also noted uncertainty over Iran’s leadership following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, highlighting potential coordination challenges for U.S. forces.

Trump stated, “We don't know who the leadership is. We don't know who they'll pick.” Analysts note that Iran’s power transition may involve a leadership council including key clerics and Revolutionary Guards officials, but the precise structure and decision-making authority remain unclear. This uncertainty complicates U.S. planning for air, naval, and missile operations in the Gulf and wider Middle East.

Reuters reported that as of March 1, 2026, senior U.S. officials remain cautious about the prospects for a near-term regime change in Tehran. Despite the recent airstrikes launched by the United States and Israel over the weekend, these officials argue that Iran’s decentralized command structures and deep civil-military networks may resist rapid collapse. The Pentagon’s regional planners are reportedly coordinating strikes with U.S. Central Command’s assets, including long-range bombers, drones, and missile defense systems.

Since the weekend of February 29–March 1, 2026, U.S. and allied forces have carried out a series of strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure. Military analysts note that escalation risks are elevated given Iran’s retaliatory capacity through drones, missiles, and asymmetric tactics in the Gulf. Trump’s remarks indicate a potential intensification of operations, signaling to regional partners, including the Gulf Cooperation Council states, that U.S. deterrence remains robust.