President Donald Trump stated that while the United States has significantly weakened Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities, there remain “one or two” targets that still need to be addressed. Speaking from his Florida residence on Saturday, Trump indicated that these remaining targets, including a site referred to as Pickaxe Mountain—a suspected underground nuclear facility—could be neutralized rapidly if necessary. Despite the ongoing military tensions, he emphasized that negotiations with Iran were progressing, though he noted they were “not very reliable,” and that the US was not rushing to launch further offensive actions.
The comments came amidst heightened regional and diplomatic developments. Diplomatic efforts are underway to prevent a full-scale resumption of conflict. An Iranian delegation was reported to be in Qatar, negotiating terms for reopening the Strait of Hormuz within two days, dependent on certain conditions being met by the United States. Meanwhile, US Vice President JD Vance sent a letter to Iran’s security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, who described the tone of the communication as markedly different from prior exchanges, calling it “a good sign.”
Iran’s leadership has responded firmly to the threat of renewed attacks. Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, appearing publicly for the first time since taking over leadership in March following the killing of his father, ordered military commanders to prepare a comprehensive target list encompassing all American and Israeli assets. He cautioned that any threat would receive an “immediate, impactful and geographically unrestricted response.” Tehran also denied the existence of nuclear activities at Pickaxe Mountain.
The conflict and resulting tensions have had notable impacts on regional security and the global energy market. Iran has imposed restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor handling approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil supply. Recent incidents involving oil tankers—including one vessel that struck a mine and caught fire—have intensified concerns. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards reported that three tankers were stopped after unspecified incidents or possible mine strikes.
On Sunday, the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen announced a military operation targeting resources used by Houthi forces for attacks on civilians and infrastructure. Meanwhile, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Saudi Arabia issued a joint condemnation following an attack on a Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker, Al-Mayeda, operated by Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat), which was struck while navigating Gulf waters. Saudi Arabia and the GCC called on the international community to enforce maritime security and protect key shipping lanes, with GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi describing the strike as a dangerous escalation that threatens regional stability and global energy supplies.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that President Trump had not yet made any decisions regarding new military strikes against Iran and underlined that diplomatic solutions remain an option. However, Rubio also noted that the US has the capability to achieve military objectives if required. The approaching elections in both the United States and Israel add further uncertainty to the situation. In the US, opposition gains could influence policy direction, while in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political faction holds the most parliamentary seats but lacks a majority, leaving the government formation process unresolved.
As diplomatic and military pressures remain high, regional powers and international actors continue to monitor developments closely, seeking to balance escalating tensions with efforts to stabilize the situation.