President Trump warned Monday there would be "very powerful" consequences for Iran if it rebuilds its ballistic missile or nuclear weapons programs.
Why it matters: Trump made clear during a briefing at his Mar-a-Lago estate with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he wouldn't rule out more military action against Iran.
Driving the news: Trump told reporters he'd read that Tehran was "building up weapons and other things" and "if they are, they're not using the sites" U.S. forces "obliterated" during airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan in June, "but possibly different" sites.
- "I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are we're going to have to knock them down," Trump said.
- "We'll knock them down. We'll knock the hell out of them. But hopefully that's not happening," he continued.
- "If they are, we're going to have no choice but very quickly to eradicate that buildup. The consequences will be very powerful. Maybe more powerful than the last time."
- " Iran may be behaving badly. It hasn't been confirmed. But if it's confirmed, look, they know the consequences."
Of note: When asked if the U.S. would support an Israeli military strike on Iran's missile program, Trump said: "If they will continue with the missiles, yes. The nuclear? Fast. One will be, yes, absolutely. The other was, we'll do it immediately."
The big picture: U.S. and Israeli officials expected Netanyahu to make a case during his meeting with Trump for renewed military action against Iran, Axios' Dave Lawler reports.
- Israeli officials warned the Trump administration earlier this month that an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps missile exercise could be preparations for a strike on Israel, per Axios' Barak Ravid.
Go deeper: Inside Trump's secret orders to strike Iran
