President Donald Trump said Saturday the United States is keeping its plans close to the vest as tensions with Iran intensify, even as reports Friday said key Gulf allies remain uncertain about Washington’s intentions and potential intervention.
Trump, in excerpts of a Saturday interview posted on X, declined to provide specifics about U.S. military planning, arguing that secrecy is essential — even with partners in the region seeking clarity.
"Well, we can’t tell them the plan," Trump said. "If I told them the plan, it would be almost as bad as telling you the plan — it could be worse, actually."
The comments came a day after reports that several Gulf allies are "in the dark" about what the United States may do next, raising questions about coordination with governments that host U.S. forces and could be affected by any escalation between Washington and Tehran.
Trump framed the situation as a mix of pressure and diplomacy, saying Iran has been communicating with the United States but leaving open the possibility of further action.
"But look, the plan is that [Iran is] talking to us, and we’ll see if we can do something, otherwise we’ll see what happens," he said.
Trump also highlighted an ongoing U.S. military buildup, pointing to naval assets moving toward the region.
"We have a big fleet heading out there, bigger than we had — and still have, actually — in Venezuela," he said, without elaborating on the fleet’s mission or timeline.
U.S.-Iran tensions have risen in recent days as Washington weighs options aimed at deterring Tehran and limiting its regional influence, while Gulf partners have privately urged restraint amid fears a conflict could quickly spread beyond Iran.
The lack of detail from the White House has fueled uncertainty among regional governments, some of which are already bracing for economic and security fallout if fighting breaks out.
Trump said Iran is still "negotiating."
"You know, the last time they negotiated, we had to take out their nuclear, didn't work, you know. Then we took it out a different way, and we'll see what happens," he added.
Analysts have said Gulf states could face retaliation from Iran or allied militias in the event of U.S. strikes, increasing pressure on leaders to avoid being drawn into a wider confrontation.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
© 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.