US President Donald Trump says he is approaching a decision on the next phase of the war with Iran, signalling that he could meet Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in New York even as Tehran warns that renewed American attacks would trigger a broader military response.

Trump said he was in “deciding mode” over Iran and suggested significant developments could come soon. Asked whether he would meet Pezeshkian during this week’s United Nations General Assembly, Trump said he would “probably be open” to such a meeting.

The Iranian president is expected in New York for the UN gathering. Washington said last week that it would permit a core Iranian delegation, including Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, to attend, while imposing restrictions on their movements in the United States.

Trump’s comments leave diplomacy on the table but come alongside threats of further military action and economic pressure. Reuters reported that Trump told a Fox News correspondent Iran could reach an agreement, face continued economic deterioration or risk further US military action.

Iran warns of wider retaliation

Iran responded with its own warnings.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps spokesman Hossein Mohibbi said on Monday that another US attack would prompt Tehran to change both the “geography of the war” and the types of weapons it uses. He said Iran could deploy weapons not previously used in the conflict and strike locations that had not previously been targeted. The threat has not been accompanied by public details identifying those weapons or targets.

Iran’s military command said on Sunday that it had received intelligence suggesting the United States was preparing to resume attacks. Reuters reported that Tehran warned any renewed offensive would result in retaliation against US interests and allies in the region. The Iranian assessment that a new American attack was being prepared has not been independently confirmed.

The warnings come as Trump considers whether to resume major military operations. He told Axios last week that he was approaching a major crossroads in the conflict and wanted to hear directly from Gulf leaders before deciding on the next phase.

Trump is expected to meet leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman on the sidelines of the UN gathering.

Iran claims second US drone downed

The Revolutionary Guards also said on Monday that Iranian forces had shot down a US MQ 1 drone over the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as the second American unmanned aircraft brought down within 24 hours.

Gazatte could not independently verify the claim, and there was no immediate independently confirmed evidence establishing the circumstances surrounding the reported shootdown.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the central pressure points in the conflict. Ship tracking data from Kpler showed only 12 commodity vessels crossed the waterway over the weekend, compared with 35 during the previous weekend.

Washington has been attempting to increase the movement of non Iranian commercial energy shipments through the strait while maintaining pressure on Iranian exports.

Diplomacy returns to focus

Despite the military warnings, signs of possible diplomacy have emerged ahead of the UN meetings.

Iran has communicated conditions for renewed negotiations through intermediaries. Tehran has demanded an end to fighting, the release of frozen Iranian funds and the lifting of the US naval blockade among its conditions for negotiations. Qatar has played a role in the indirect contacts.

The possibility of direct contact between Trump and Pezeshkian would represent a notable development after months in which negotiations have largely been conducted through intermediaries.

There is no confirmation, however, that a meeting has been scheduled, and Trump’s statement of openness does not indicate that Washington has accepted Tehran’s conditions.

The diplomatic signals have already affected energy markets. Oil prices fell to their lowest levels since 10 September on Monday as traders assessed the possibility that talks could reduce tensions. Brent crude fell to about $102 a barrel while US West Texas Intermediate dropped below $100.

The market reaction came despite continuing instability elsewhere in the region, including renewed Houthi attacks against Saudi targets and disruption to shipping routes.

Iran and the United States therefore enter UN General Assembly week pursuing parallel tracks: signalling willingness to negotiate while maintaining military pressure and warning of further escalation if diplomacy fails.