Trump claims that Iran's nuclear program has already been destroyed and that only 'one or two' targets remain, while Tehran threatens unlimited retaliation
The president points to the Pickaxe Mountain underground complex—a site suspected of harboring nuclear activities that Tehran denies—as one of the last remaining targets, while Rubio keeps the diplomatic channel open and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz sends oil prices soaring in the run-up to the midterms.
President Donald Trump
President Donald Trump stated this Saturday that the United States has weakened much of the Iranian regime's military capability, but that there are still "one or two" targets left to strike, in a statement coming amid a diplomatic and military escalation in the Middle East. Tehran, for its part, has warned that it will respond immediately and without geographical limits to any new offensive.
"We've knocked out their nuclear. We still have to take care of, I would say one or two sites, but we can do that in 10 minutes," Trump told reporters at his Florida residence. The president specifically referred to Pickaxe Mountain, a suspicious underground nuclear complex that Tehran denies is used for nuclear activities.
Rubio leaves the door open to diplomacy
Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, qualified Trump's remarks and stated that the president has not yet made a decision on new strikes, and that the United States would remain open to a diplomatic solution. "We can achieve military objectives if we seek to," Rubio cautioned, emphasizing that the military option remains on the table.
The escalation comes amid an open conflict that has been ongoing since February, after the United States and Israel responded to the Iranian threat, and in the midst of election campaigns in both countries. Trump had warned that any military action could take place after this week's midterms, while Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, described the situation as a "historic, one-time opportunity" to topple the Iranian regime.
Khamenei orders an update to the list of targets
The supreme leader of the Iranian regime, Mojtaba Khamenei, warned the United States and Israel on Saturday against a new offensive and ordered military commanders to update the list of targets to include "all types of tangible and intangible assets of the American-Zionist enemy."
"Any level or type of threat must be met with an immediate, forceful response without geographical restrictions," Khamenei told senior military commanders, according to a statement. This is the first reported meeting between Khamenei and the military leadership since he assumed leadership in March, following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Israeli and U.S. attacks.
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Hormuz under pressure and oil prices on the Rise
Since the outbreak of the conflict, Tehran has restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries about one-fifth of the world's oil consumption. Iran has also warned that it could cut the undersea cables that run through the strait.
A ship passing through the strait struck a mine and caught fire, according to a report by Iranian state television on Saturday. The Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) had reported on Friday that three oil tankers had been detained after suffering unspecified "incidents" or striking mines.
Diplomacy underway, but no progress
Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, stated that there are no plans for meetings with U.S. officials and that Iran's conditions are clear. Rezaei insisted that Iran will maintain the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are met, including the release of frozen assets. Iranian Army Spokesperson, Mohammad Akraminia, warned that any resumption of hostilities "will engulf a much wider geographical area," while Araghchi stated on X that there will no longer be any "red lines."
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