While speaking with reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, President Donald Trump addressed the status of U.S. operations against Iran and the possibility of additional military action.
“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,” Trump said. He added that a neighboring country had informed him it would take Iran 25 to 30 years to rebuild, noting that the United States had controlled key objectives over seven months.
“I would rather not destroy the rest of the country if possible, but maybe I’ll have to. You will know soon enough,” the president added when asked about the possibility for further action. He also indicated that Iran was not proceeding on nuclear matters without U.S. approval and that a decision on whether additional measures were needed to prevent reconstruction of nuclear capabilities would come soon.
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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
The statement followed reports that Iran had submitted a fresh nuclear proposal through Qatar. Trump maintained that Tehran could not act independently on its nuclear program and did not provide further comment on any developments on negotiations.
Prior to the elections, multiple reports indicated that the administration had prepared options for renewed large-scale operations. U.S. forces in the region were described as capable of launching major strikes within 96 hours of an order. Officials had briefed Gulf states on the possibility of a short, intense campaign after the vote.
In addition, Trump had publicly referenced the prospect of another round of operations, previously termed “Epic Fury,” if an agreement was not reached. Meetings involving the head of U.S. Central Command and other senior officials addressed military options.
After the elections, Trump indicated in interviews that there were no immediate plans for new strikes, stating that the United States appeared to be achieving its aims and that forces were “locked and loaded” if needed but that there might be no reason to proceed. The president has described the conflict as having neutralized much of Iran’s military capabilities, though he has noted that one or two remaining sites, including a suspected underground complex known as Pickaxe Mountain, could still be addressed quickly.
Limited U.S. strikes, which the Pentagon has described as defensive responses to Iranian surface-to-air activity, have also continued in a limited capacity around the Strait of Hormuz.
