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U.S. President Trump Says Iran Nuclear Program Decimated But Left With Few Targets
Reported by Aditya Chauhan (Staff Writer) · The Hindu - International ·
Reported by one source so far
Photo: Wikimedia CommonsU.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States has destroyed much of Iran's military and nuclear program while keeping a few targets in reserve. Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Mr. Trump stated that negotiations to end the war, which began with U.S. and Israeli action in February, were proceeding fine despite Tehran's lack of reliability.
Potential Targets
Mr. Trump mentioned that the U.S. still needs to address one or two sites, including a suspected underground nuclear complex known as Pickaxe Mountain, which he claimed could be handled very quickly. The Iranian government denied that any nuclear work takes place at that location. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that Mr. Trump has not decided on fresh strikes and remains open to a diplomatic solution.
Iranian Response
Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned the United States and Israel against a new offensive, directing military commanders to update target lists to include all tangible and intangible assets of the American-Zionist enemy. Mr. Khamenei ordered an immediate and impactful response to any threat. Meanwhile, Qatari mediators arrived in Tehran, and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance sent a letter to Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei, who called the altered tone a good sign.
Context
The conflict has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about one-fifth of global oil consumption, leading to a rise in global energy prices and political fallout ahead of elections in the United States and Israel.
ExplainerWhy this matters
What Happened
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. has heavily damaged Iran's military and nuclear capabilities following the outbreak of war in February, though a small number of potential targets like Pickaxe Mountain remain under consideration.
Why It Matters
The conflict has directly impacted global energy markets by restricting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, through which a major share of the world's oil consumption passes, resulting in higher energy prices and political pressure during elections in both the U.S. and Israel.
What Happens Next
Political developments remain uncertain as Israel navigates government formation following a recent general election and the U.S. faces upcoming midterms, while diplomatic channels continue through Qatari mediators and direct correspondence.
