Trump Says US Has 'One or Two' Iran Targets; Khamenei Warns of 'Immediate' Response
President Donald Trump has said that the United States still needs to "take care of" one or two targets in Iran, while Iran's supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned that any threat would meet an "immediate" response.
Speaking to reporters at his Florida residence on Saturday, Trump said, "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." He referred to Pickaxe Mountain, a site linked to Iran's nuclear programme, saying, "You probably could look at Pickaxe Mountain, and you have to take care of that. We can do that all very quickly."
When asked if the US would carry out a possible attack on Iran as soon as this week, Trump responded, "Why would you ask such a stupid question? Let's say I did - would I tell you?" He maintained that negotiations with Iran were "going fine" but added that Iran is "not very reliable."
Trump's remarks came after Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not been seen publicly since taking over in March following the killing of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in US-Israeli strikes, said that any threat would be met with an "immediate" response. According to a statement, Khamenei told top military commanders: "Any level or type of threat must be met with an immediate, impactful and geographically unrestricted response." He also ordered commanders to update Iran's target list to include "all types of tangible and intangible assets belonging to the American-Zionist enemy." This was the first reported meeting between Khamenei and top Iranian military brass.
In recent days, Trump has suggested he could launch fresh military action against Iran after the US midterm elections early next week. "We may do another little Epic Fury," Trump said last week, referring to the US name for its attacks on Iran. The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that Washington had told several Gulf Arab countries to prepare for a possible "short, intense military campaign" against Iran after the US midterm elections on November 3. The newspaper, citing people briefed on the conversations, said Trump had not made a final decision.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday also warned that "we can achieve military objectives if we seek to," adding that Trump had not made a decision on any fresh strikes. He also criticised Tehran for "actively and openly" targeting commercial vessels for attack.
The war in the Middle East began on February 28 when the US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran, killing the country's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders. In response, Tehran struck American bases in the Middle East and shut the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most vital energy conduit, which sent oil prices across the world rising sharply.
On June 17, Trump and his Iranian counterpart, Masoud Pezeshkian, signed a 14-point deal to end the war. The agreement provided for an immediate cessation of military operations, including in Lebanon, and committed both countries to pursuing a final agreement within 60 days. However, on July 8, Trump said the deal was "over." Tehran also suspended the memorandum of understanding a week later, accusing Washington of "violating all its commitments." Since then, Trump has reiterated that he is in no rush to reach a deal.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose party fell short of a majority in general elections on Tuesday, has in recent days repeatedly vowed to topple the clerical state in Iran, following two major bombing campaigns against it since last year.
With agency inputs.
