VIDEO | "I would rather not have to destroy the country if possible but maybe I'll have to. You'll know soon enough." US President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that Washington is weighing a devastating fresh round of military operations that could "destroy the rest of Iran," warning that any collapse of diplomatic negotiations will trigger an immediate escalation. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office following a high-level national security briefing, Trump indicated that military planners are preparing targets to permanently neutralize Iran's nuclear capabilities and critical infrastructure. "I would rather not destroy the rest of the country if possible, but maybe I'll have to," Trump declared, adding that the international community will "know soon enough" whether he authorizes the offensive. Assessing the cumulative damage inflicted by months of US-Israeli bombardment, Trump estimated that restoring Iranian civilian and industrial infrastructure will take at least 25 years.