Conflict · Iran strike rhetoricIran sites Trump: Further strikes left undecided as talks continueAired November 4, 2026 at 2:14 PM UTCWritten November 4, 2026 at 2:50 PM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:07Trump kept further attacks on Iran on the table.0:10Maybe I will, or maybe I won't.0:12Mediators are trying to prevent another escalation, while Iran ties reopening the0:18Strait of Hormuz to its demands.0:20On October8, we reported Trump's assurance that America would protect its cities.0:25After his hypothetical references to Iranian attacks on Los Angeles and San Diego,0:31his latest comments leave further American attacks on Iran explicitly undecided.0:36Has his talk of remaining Iranian sites become a decision to attack, or is0:41diplomacy still shaping his next move?0:44Trump's reference to one or two sites dates to October31.0:48Those remarks appeared in coverage on November one.0:51His fresh statement came during election returns on November3, when he again left0:56further action conditional.0:57Trump spoke at a Halloween event at Mar-a-Lago, his estate in Palm Beach, Florida.1:03Asked about negotiations.1:05He described talks as going fine.1:07But said Iran was not very reliable.1:10He also claimed sweeping damage to Iran's capabilities.1:13He said American action had destroyed almost every piece of Iran's military1:17equipment, much of its manufacturing capability and its nuclear capability.1:22Those were Trump's assertions.1:24He didn't explain how he measured that damage.1:27Trump claimed one or two sites remained, and said they could be dealt with in ten1:31minutes.1:32That was his claim about American capability.1:35He gave no strike date and didn't announce an order to attack them.1:39Trump singled out Pickaxe Mountain, a suspected underground nuclear complex in Iran.1:45Iran's government denies nuclear work takes place there.1:48Trump said it needed attention, even as he claimed Iran's nuclear capability had1:53already been destroyed.1:54He hasn't explained what nuclear capability he believes remains there.1:59His description of destruction and his reference to unfinished work leave that2:03question unresolved.2:05Trump accused Iran of making deals.2:07And then backing out, and said America wasn't in a hurry.2:11He also said, We have a plan.2:14He still left the choice of whether to use force open.2:17Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on October31 that Trump hadn't decided on2:23fresh strikes and remained open to diplomacy.2:26Trump also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid preparations2:32for renewed attacks.2:33Trump continued to describe military readiness alongside negotiations in a2:38six-minute telephone interview made public on November three.2:42He said, We're locked and loaded if we need to go, but there may be no reason for2:47it.2:47Trump said indirect discussions about Iran's enriched uranium stockpile were2:52continuing.2:53He also said, We seem to be getting everything we want.2:57By election night, he was still describing another attack as a choice he might make.3:02Trump again claimed Iran had been practically wiped out.3:05Then said, And maybe I will.3:07Or maybe I won't.3:09Maybe they'll get smart, and maybe they won't.3:12He announced no decision to attack the remaining sites.3:15Acknowledged Iran was part of the explanation for Republican election losses, while3:21defending the war as necessary to prevent an Iranian nuclear weapon.3:26That was his explanation of the vote and his justification for the war.3:30Separately, a U.S.3:32official said American forces carried out defensive strikes on Keshima Island3:36against missiles used against US assets.3:39Another official described those stri strikes as limited and said they didn't signal3:44a return to major combat operations.3:46Qatar said both governments were reviewing mediators' proposals on November3.3:52Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed El Ansari said talks continued after Qatar's3:58delegation returned from Tehran to Doha.4:00A senior Iranian official said the sides remained far apart.4:04Iran's demands included relief from oil sanctions.4:07An end to the American naval blockade and release of frozen Iranian funds.4:12Mosan Razay, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, called4:17America's response unconvincing.4:19He demanded An official brief on the talks expected feedback within thirty-six hours4:24of November three.4:25A senior Iranian official separately said there was no deadline for exchanging4:30messages or reviewing responses.4:33The two governments hadn't committed to an agreement by then.4:36Trump has publicly identified a suspected nuclear site and threatened further4:41action.4:42His latest words leave that action conditional.4:45Both governments are still reviewing proposals through mediators.Explore with HeyDexFollow via RSSRelated coverageBackgroundOct 8 19:02 UTCTrump vows to protect LA and San Diego after remarks prompt threat monitoring
