The recent US military strikes targeted southern Iran, specifically hitting Qeshm Island in what was described as a minor attack rather than a full resumption of war. Despite Iran warning that it will issue a harder and broader response, Donald Trump claimed the United States has Tehran right where it wants them. Speaking to Fox News, he stressed that while he does not want significant casualties, Washington will not hesitate to act if necessary. The administration presented the current posture as a deliberate choice between restraint that spares lives and massive military action.
Key points
The United States administration claims it holds strategic leverage over Iran despite esc…: The United States administration claims it holds strategic leverage over Iran despite escalating regional military friction.
Washington is attempting to balance military deterrence with a stated desire to prevent w…: Washington is attempting to balance military deterrence with a stated desire to prevent widespread casualties in Iran.
Continued threats of retaliation from Tehran leave the possibility open for further decis…: Continued threats of retaliation from Tehran leave the possibility open for further decisive American military action.
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This is an entry from: Live: Iran warns US of 'harder and broader' response after US strikes on southern Iran
Trump says 'not looking to kill lots of people' in Iran
3 November 2026 14:52 GMT
US President Donald Trump has said that he is "not looking to kill lots of people" in Iran, following what he described as a "minor attack" on Qeshm Island rather than a resumption of war.
"Look, I'm not looking to, you know, kill lots of people, but if we have to, we'll have to," Trump told Fox News.
"We have them totally where we want. We could finish them off, or we could be nice and let thousands of people live that would get killed in a war," he said.
Justices are stepping in after lower courts delivered conflicting rulings on whether the protest group was lawfully designated as a terrorist organization under counterterrorism legislation. The outcome will decide the legal boundaries between political dissent and national security, following nationwide civil unrest and thousands of public arrests. Part of the two-day appeal will take place in secret to examine sensitive evidence.
Justices are stepping in after lower courts delivered conflicting rulings on whether the protest group was lawfully designated as a terrorist organization under counterterrorism legislation. The outcome will decide the legal boundaries between political dissent and national security, following nationwide civil unrest and thousands of public arrests. Part of the two-day appeal will take place in secret to examine sensitive evidence.
The unannounced military action focused on neutralizing missile threats facing American personnel in the Strait of Hormuz amid an eight-month-old conflict. While thousands of additional military personnel and a naval carrier deploy to enforce existing tanker blockades, the confrontation continues to threaten the American economy through rising gasoline prices ahead of critical domestic voting.