Donald Trump says military has few remaining targets in Iran as tensions rise

President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that American forces have destroyed most of Iran's military capability, though one or two strategic locations remain to be addressed. Speaking to journalists at his residence in Florida, Trump said the United States was in no hurry to launch fresh offensive strikes because earlier operations had already severely damaged Iranian armed forces and atomic facilities.

Trump claimed that Iran's nuclear capabilities had been knocked out, pointing specifically to a subterranean site known as Pickaxe Mountain as a location that still required attention. He asserted that any remaining targets could be dealt with in ten minutes. The Iranian administration has contested these claims, denying that any nuclear operations take place at the facility.

Meanwhile, Tehran issued stern warnings against any renewed assault by the United States or Israel. Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, told top military commanders that any provocation would draw an immediate and powerful response without geographic limits. Khamenei, meeting commanders for the first time since succeeding his father in March, instructed armed forces to broaden their target lists to cover all forms of American and Israeli assets.

Diplomatic options remain on the table despite the heated rhetoric. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted earlier on Saturday that Trump had not yet reached a final verdict on launching new military strikes, emphasizing that Washington is receptive to a negotiated settlement. Talks mediated by Qatar and Pakistan have continued, with Qatari envoys arriving in Tehran and US Vice President JD Vance dispatching correspondence to Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei. Rezaei acknowledged receipt of the message on Iranian television, remarking that Washington's altered tone appeared to be a positive development, though Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi clarified that no direct bilateral talks are currently scheduled.

The conflict has also had severe repercussions on international maritime commerce and global energy markets. Iranian authorities have restricted passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route that typically handles approximately one-fifth of global oil consumption. Iranian state media reported on Saturday that a vessel caught fire after hitting a mine in the waterway, following statements from the Revolutionary Guards that three tankers had recently been halted by maritime incidents. Iranian officials maintain that the shipping blockade will persist until specific demands, including the unfreezing of national assets, are fully addressed.