During a press briefing in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump outlined the current state of U.S. military efforts concerning Iran, emphasizing that the nation is prepared for further action.
Trump stated, “We’re building more weapons right now in our military than we’ve ever built before. If we have to do the rest of the Iran thing, we’re very much locked and loaded,” as reported. He revealed that a regional ally indicated it could take Iran 25 to 30 years to recover, noting that the U.S. has effectively managed key objectives for the past seven months.
Possible Military Action
When asked about future actions, Trump remarked, “I would rather not destroy the rest of the country if possible, but maybe I’ll have to. You will know soon enough.” He emphasized that Iran cannot move forward on nuclear matters without U.S. consent, indicating a decision on further measures would be forthcoming.
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Trump on Iran: Now we will make a decision. Do we want to go further and certify it so that it will never happen again? I would rather not destroy the rest of the country if possible, but maybe I will have to. You will know soon enough. pic.twitter.com/CY6bEJ07XL
— Faytuks Network (@FaytuksNetwork) November 5, 2026
This announcement comes on the heels of reports that Iran has proposed a new nuclear deal through Qatar. Trump reiterated that Tehran relies on U.S. approval for its nuclear ambitions, avoiding details on the negotiations.
Before the elections, various reports indicated that options for large-scale military operations had been prepared. U.S. forces, capable of major strikes within 96 hours of an order, were briefed on possible intense campaigns in the region after the elections.
Additionally, Trump had alluded to the potential for renewed military operations, previously dubbed “Epic Fury,” should a suitable agreement fail to materialize. Discussions with U.S. Central Command and senior officials focused on available military strategies.
Post-elections, Trump mentioned that while there were no immediate plans for strikes, U.S. objectives seemed to be on track. He expressed that forces were “locked and loaded” if necessary but suggested that escalation might not be required. Trump has stated that much of Iran’s military capacity has been diminished, although he acknowledged that potential targets, like a suspected underground site named Pickaxe Mountain, remain.
Moreover, limited U.S. defensive strikes against Iranian surface-to-air activities continue in certain areas, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.
