Trump claims US could destroy Iran’s remaining nuclear sites ‘in 10 minutes,’ but says it is in no hurry to strike

WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump said at a Halloween event at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida that American forces could strike Iran’s one or two remaining nuclear sites within 10 minutes. He specifically referred to the suspected underground facility Pickaxe Mountain, although Iran’s government denies that any nuclear activity takes place there.

Trump claimed the US had already “knocked out” Iran’s nuclear capability, navy, air force, air defences, military equipment and much of its defence-manufacturing capacity, which was why Washington was not rushing to resume strikes. These are the president’s claims; independent verification that Iran’s military capabilities have been fully eliminated has not been provided.

He said Tehran had signalled a willingness to reach a deal with Washington, but questioned its reliability, saying Iran “makes a deal and then backs out.” Qatar-mediated negotiations are continuing, though Trump declined to say whether he would order new military action against Iran, calling the question “foolish.”