US President Donald Trump indicated on Saturday that he has not yet decided whether to launch significant military strikes against Iran, as tensions across the Middle East continue to escalate. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump emphasized ongoing diplomatic efforts, saying Tehran appears to be taking negotiations with Washington more seriously. “We’re talking to them right now,” he stated, adding that Iran faces a choice between reaching a deal or facing intensified military action.
The conflict, which Trump had initially predicted would last only a few weeks, has extended into its fifth month, with no clear resolution in sight. The ongoing war has drawn increasing scrutiny in the United States amid upcoming midterm elections, with Trump asserting that a key threshold for military escalation would be any indication that Iran is close to developing a nuclear weapon.
The United States has conducted strikes aimed at preventing Iran from threatening navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital international shipping corridor. Iran, in turn, has retaliated with attacks on US military bases in the region, resulting in the deaths of four American service members. On Friday, Iranian forces claimed responsibility for operations targeting US assets in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait. The Revolutionary Guards further alleged an attack on an Amazon data center in Bahrain, though neither Amazon nor Bahraini authorities have confirmed this claim, and US officials have not verified any damage or casualties related to the strike.
Security alerts remained active in Bahrain, where sirens sounded early Saturday, prompting authorities to advise residents to seek shelter.
Addressing concerns about external support for Iran, Trump dismissed reports that Russia and China were supplying arms or intelligence to Tehran, citing personal assurances from Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping that they had committed not to do so.
Meanwhile, diplomatic engagement continues amid the turmoil. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi in Kyrgyzstan, urging a swift resumption of negotiations and the implementation of a memorandum of understanding designed to reduce tensions in the Middle East and Gulf regions. Wang emphasized the importance of keeping diplomatic channels open as long as there remains hope for peace.
The conflict has broadened with increased hostilities in Yemen, where the Iran-backed Ansar Allah movement declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia and launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities. On Saturday, Ansar Allah targeted sites operated by the Saudi oil company Aramco in Jizan and Yanbu. Video evidence verified by independent sources showed large plumes of smoke over a refinery in Jizan following the attacks.
Saudi Arabia has not publicly responded to the specific strikes, but its civil defense authorities issued safety warnings for residents in affected areas. Greek forces operating a surface-to-air missile battery in Saudi Arabia reported they intercepted and destroyed ballistic missiles and a drone fired from Yemen targeting the city of Yanbu.
Sources within Yemeni security indicated that Saudi military targets also included a naval base in the port city of Hodeida and a camp on Kamaran Island, highlighting the widening scope of regional hostilities. The escalating conflict underscores the complex interplay of military and diplomatic efforts shaping the broader Middle East crisis.