Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Trump Rules Out Nuclear Weapons, Threatens Iran With More Strikes
The United States and Iran have been fighting for about six months.
Their latest exchange began when the United States attacked rocket launchers on an Iranian island.
The United States said the attack was meant to stop Iran from placing mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran then launched missiles and drones at places where US forces were located.
President Donald Trump said the United States would respond strongly.
He also said the United States would not use nuclear weapons against Iran.
Iran and the United States disagree about who controls the important waterway and whether ships have struck mines.
Iran’s president and foreign minister said they still want to solve the conflict through talks.
Donald Trump ruled out using nuclear weapons against Iran, calling the question “stupid.”
Trump said the United States would “hit them hard” after a new exchange of fire.
The United States said it struck rocket launchers on Iran’s Larak Island to prevent mine-laying.
Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on US-linked targets in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
The Strait of Hormuz remains closed and disputed, disrupting energy markets as both sides reject the other’s claims.
- Who
- The United States, led by President Donald Trump, and Iran, including its government and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, are involved.
- What
- The countries exchanged military strikes while Trump ruled out nuclear weapons but threatened further conventional action.
- When
- The latest exchange began Sunday, with Trump’s remarks and further reports on Monday, September 1, 2026; the war has lasted six months.
- Where
- The fighting involved Larak Island and the Strait of Hormuz, with reported attacks connected to US positions in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.
- Why
- The United States said it struck Iranian rocket launchers to prevent mines from being placed in the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran said it was targeting US forces.
Washington’s account
Tehran’s account
Control of the Strait of Hormuz
Washington’s account
Trump said the US Navy had “total control” of the strait, and Washington said it had completed clearing explosives from the waterway.
Tehran’s account
Iran maintains that it controls the sea lane and said a tanker caught fire after striking two mines on an allegedly illegal route.
Results of the military exchange
Washington’s account
Trump said all but one missile fired at US forces had been intercepted and that the remaining missile posed no threat; the US military called the mine-strike claim disinformation.
Tehran’s account
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said its attack on two US air bases in Jordan caused “heavy damage,” while Iranian state media reported deaths and injuries from the US strike on Larak Island.
How to end the conflict
Washington’s account
The Trump administration says it will continue military and economic pressure, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying a turning point could come within weeks or months.
Tehran’s account
Iranian officials say continuing the war is not in the interests of Iran or the region and that dialogue, cooperation, and a return to previous US commitments are the solution.
- US position on nuclear weapons
- Trump said he ruled out using a nuclear weapon against Iran because he saw no reason to do so.
- Trump’s warning
- Trump said the United States would “hit them hard” and that there would be a response.
- Larak Island strike
- The United States said it targeted Iranian rocket launchers on Sunday to prevent Tehran from laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Reported Iranian retaliation
- Iran launched missile and drone attacks at US-linked military positions in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, according to the reports.
- Reported casualties
- Iranian state media said three people were killed and several others wounded in the US attack on Larak Island.
- Strait of Hormuz
- Iran has kept the waterway closed while the United States maintains a counter-blockade of Iranian ports; before the war, about one-fifth of the world’s oil passed through it.
- Diplomatic position
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called for dialogue and a return by Washington to its previous commitments.
