Washington, D.C. | October 26, 2026 : US President Donald Trump has renewed his defence of American military action against Iran, claiming that US strikes have destroyed the country’s nuclear capability and that oil shipments through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz have exceeded pre-war levels. Meanwhile, Washington has ordered non-emergency US government employees and eligible family members to leave Saudi Arabia amid growing security concerns linked to Houthi missile and drone attacks.
The developments highlight the continuing regional security crisis, with tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme, maritime energy supplies and attacks on Saudi infrastructure remaining major concerns. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also warned that another round of military action would not change Tehran’s policies.
Trump’s assertions about Iran’s nuclear capability and oil flows remain claims by the US president and should not be treated as independently established conclusions.
Trump Claims US Strikes Destroyed Iran’s Nuclear Capability
Speaking before a rally in Michigan, Trump argued that military action was necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He warned that allowing Tehran to develop such weapons could create a threat extending beyond energy markets to the risk of a wider conflict.
“You let them have a nuclear weapon, because they will use it,” Trump said, arguing that the United States had needed to act before Iran could reach that point.
The president maintained that the damage inflicted by American strikes was far greater than many observers had anticipated. He said Iran’s nuclear capability had been destroyed and defended the decision to launch the military campaign.
However, the distinction between damaging nuclear infrastructure and eliminating a country’s entire nuclear capability is significant. Assessing the extent of the damage requires reliable information about nuclear facilities, enriched uranium stocks, technical expertise and any remaining capacity to resume nuclear activities.
Trump’s statement does not, by itself, establish that Iran’s nuclear programme has been permanently eliminated. Independent verification would be needed to determine the full extent of the damage and whether Tehran retains the ability to rebuild its programme.
Trump Says Oil Flows Through Strait of Hormuz Have Increased
Trump also claimed that more oil was moving through the Strait of Hormuz than before the conflict began. He attributed the increase to US naval operations and the blockade imposed as part of Washington’s campaign against Iran.
The president said he had anticipated some increase in energy prices following military action but argued that the latest oil movements showed the effectiveness of US operations.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes. Oil and petroleum products transported through the narrow waterway connect major Gulf producers with international markets, making any disruption a potential concern for importers, shipping companies and consumers.
A sustained interruption can increase shipping costs, complicate insurance arrangements and put upward pressure on crude prices. Conversely, a recovery in shipments can help ease supply concerns, although prices also depend on production levels, inventories, demand and broader geopolitical risks.
Trump did not provide independently verifiable shipment figures during the remarks described in the report. His assertion that oil flows have surpassed pre-war levels therefore requires comparison with shipping data and energy-market assessments.
The president also credited the US Navy for its role in the maritime campaign. Iran, however, has maintained that the conflict has fundamentally changed the security arrangements surrounding the strait.
Iran Warns Another War Would Not Change Its Policies
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has rejected the suggestion that renewed military action would force Tehran to change its established positions.
According to Iran’s ISNA news agency, Araghchi said discussions about a possible new war were continuing but insisted that Iran’s policies would remain unchanged regardless of whether fighting resumed.
His remarks indicate that Tehran is not publicly presenting the threat of further attacks as a reason to abandon its stated positions.
The opposing statements from Washington and Tehran underline the central diplomatic challenge: the United States says preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains a priority, while Iran insists that military pressure will not determine its policy choices.
The future of the conflict will depend on developments on the ground, the condition of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, maritime security and whether diplomatic channels can produce an agreement acceptable to both sides.
Why Has the US Ordered Personnel to Leave Saudi Arabia?
In a separate development, the US State Department has ordered non-emergency government employees and their eligible family members to leave Saudi Arabia because of security risks linked to attacks attributed to the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen.
The US Embassy in Riyadh issued a security alert warning of continuing risks to American personnel. The order was linked to reported Houthi attacks on civilian airports and critical infrastructure, which have caused casualties and disrupted travel.
The measure applies to non-emergency US government personnel and their family members in Saudi Arabia. It should not be interpreted as an order requiring every American citizen or all foreign nationals to leave the kingdom.
The decision follows a period of heightened regional tensions, including missile and drone threats affecting Saudi territory and infrastructure.
The US mission has warned that further hostile activity could increase security risks. The departure order is a precaution intended to reduce the exposure of government personnel and their families while the threat remains elevated.
Houthis Claim Attacks on Riyadh Airport and Strategic Sites
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree has claimed that the group targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, along with energy installations, oil refineries and other aviation and military facilities in Saudi Arabia.
These statements represent the Houthis’ account of their operations and should be distinguished from independently confirmed damage assessments.
Attacks or attempted attacks on airports can disrupt civilian travel, while threats to oil facilities can raise concerns about energy production, exports and the safety of workers. Even when missiles or drones are intercepted, debris and the resulting security measures can create additional risks.
Saudi Arabia’s position as a major oil producer makes the protection of its energy infrastructure particularly important to international markets. Any sustained disruption could have consequences beyond the kingdom, depending on the scale of the damage and the duration of interruptions.
The situation also creates a wider diplomatic challenge for Washington and its regional partners, who must balance military operations with the protection of civilians, diplomatic personnel and critical infrastructure.
What Happens Next?
Three developments will be particularly important to watch.
First, independent assessments of Iran’s nuclear facilities and material stocks will be needed to evaluate Trump’s claim that the country’s nuclear capability has been destroyed.
Second, reliable maritime tracking and energy-market data will help establish whether oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz have genuinely exceeded pre-war levels.
Third, the security situation in Saudi Arabia will determine whether US personnel restrictions remain in place or are adjusted. Further Houthi attacks, changes in airport operations or threats to energy infrastructure could influence subsequent decisions.
For now, Washington’s statements, Tehran’s warnings and the US personnel departure order point to a regional crisis that remains unresolved.
Bottom line: Trump says US strikes have destroyed Iran’s nuclear capability and claims oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have recovered beyond pre-war levels. Iran says renewed military action will not change its policies, while the United States has ordered non-emergency government personnel and eligible family members to leave Saudi Arabia amid Houthi-related security threats. The central claims about Iran’s nuclear status and oil flows still require independent verification.
