Iran-US war latest: Trump gives new reason for starting conflict after threatening to hit Iran ‘very hard’

Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump has added to his list of reasons for starting a war with Iran nearly eight months ago. ​The president has always said the ongoing conflict, which began at the end of February, was launched to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. But now he has claimed Operation Midnight Hammer was bombing “drug factories” in the country. However, speaking at a rally in Durant, Oklahoma, Mr Trump said: ​“They went from Missouri and then at one o’clock in the morning, with no moon, dark as can be, these unbelievable machines led by the most incredible pilots in the world, they unloaded every single bomb, went right down air chutes into this, uh, drug factories, really. “That’s what they were doing. They were nuclear and drugs. They were doing drugs, but they were doing the nuclear.” It comes after he said early indications suggest Iran was most likely linked to the Israeli plane hijacking attempt on Wednesday. President Trump warned the US would retaliate if the link is established to Iran, telling reporters: “Oh, they’ll be hit, very hard, don’t worry.” Recommended Trump claims diesel export ban ‘never on table’ as G7 agrees reserve release What we know and don't know about how Iran uses asymmetric warfare What is happening with diesel – and should we be worried? Saudi Arabia plans major Yemen offensive against Iran-backed Houthi forces Key Points Trump sends 9,000 troops to Middle East after threatening to it Iran 'very hard' US 'needs to get idea of bringing us to our knees out of its head', says Iran Trump says US will not be banning diesel export Trump now claims Operation Watch: Midnight Hammer was bombing 'drug factories' in Iran Crude oil tanker struck off Oman Trump's top national security aides meet secretly at Camp David on Iran, Yemen, Axios reports Donald Trump's top cabinet members met secretly at the presidential retreat at Camp David to discuss next steps in the Iran war and the Saudi-Houthi conflict in Yemen, Axios reported on Friday. Vice President JD Vance chaired the meeting, the news outlet reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Maira Butt 3 October 2026 09:00 Watch: Trump says US will not be doing diesel export ban Trump says US will not be doing diesel export ban Maira Butt 3 October 2026 08:30 Two Iranians accused of planning terrorist attack in UK Two Iranian nationals have been charged with planning a terrorist attack against the Jewish community in the UK on or before Yom Kippur. The UK Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said yesterday that the two were charged with preparing to commit or assisting another to commit an act of terrorism in Manchester “on or before” Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. “It is alleged that the two men were in contact with an overseas third-party who may be in Iran in relation to the plot,” police said in a statement. Vishwam Sankaran 3 October 2026 08:00 Forty Iranian flights cleared to fly to and from Iraq Iranian airlines, excluding Mahan Air, are allowed 40 daily flights to and from Iraq's Najaf International Airport, the Iraqi president's office said today. Iraq had earlier ⁠halted flights to and from Iran ​last week following US ​sanctions. But the Iraqi government sought exemptions for travel related to pilgrimage, medical treatment, and education. "The prime minister ​appreciates ​the positive ⁠response shown by the US government to Iraqi efforts ​and its cooperation in ​granting ⁠the requested exemption," it said in a statement. Vishwam Sankaran 3 October 2026 07:00 Trump's top national security aides secretly met to discuss Iran – Report The US president's top cabinet members reportedly met secretly at Camp David to discuss next steps in the Iran war and the Saudi-Houthi conflict in Yemen. The meeting was chaired by Vice President Vance and included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, CIA director John Ratcliffe and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, according to Axios. "Things were decided or at least deeply discussed," one of the officials reportedly said. Vishwam Sankaran 3 October 2026 06:00 Crude oil tanker struck off Oman A crude oil tanker was struck by an unknown projectile off Oman, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said today. Authorities are investigating the incident, and vessels passing through the area have been advised to exercise caution. All crew members of the tanker are safe, and no environmental effects have been reported so far, according to UKMTO. The ship's master reportedly said the vessel was hit on its port side about 4 nautical miles (5 miles) east of Oman. Vishwam Sankaran 3 October 2026 05:00 Trump says US will not be banning diesel export US president Donald Trump said that he would not authorise an export ban on diesel, hours after G7 countries announced that they would release diesel from their emergency reserves. “Europe has a lot of diesel, and they’re going to be making a major world contribution, and so are we, and we’re not going to be doing the export ban,” Trump told reporters today. “We were never going to do it,” he said after appearing to back the idea over the last few days. Trump's comments come after the Group of Seven major economies, including the US, the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and Italy, said they would release 100 million barrels of fuel in the next four months, including “a front-loaded substantial diesel release within the first 20 days". Vishwam Sankaran 3 October 2026 04:05 Watch: Israel warned UK over ‘Iranian attack’ ahead of RAF Fairford incident, Netanyahu claims Israel warned UK over ‘Iranian attack’ ahead of RAF Fairford incident, Netanyahu claims Maryam Zakir-Hussain 3 October 2026 03:00 Watch: Trump now claims Operation Watch: Midnight Hammer was bombing 'drug factories' in Iran Trump now claims Operation Midnight Hammer was bombing 'drug factories' in Iran Maryam Zakir-Hussain 3 October 2026 02:00 Trump sends 9,000 troops to Middle East after threatening to it Iran 'very hard' Around 9,000 US troops are being deployed to the Middle East aboard a group of ship after Donald Trump warned that new strikes against Iran could be on the horizon. The group of ships now en route to the Middle East together carry over 7,000 sailors and 2,000 Marines. It includes the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group, which recently deployed with the cruiser USS Chosin, and the USS Makin Island amphibious readiness group, which includes the USS John P. Murtha and USS Anchorage amphibious landing ships. It could mean that three carriers are in the region as early as the end of October, according to a US official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. President Trump also said early indications suggest that Iran is linked to the co-pilot who stabbed his captain and tried to crash an Israel-bound flight on Wednesday. He warned that if the link is established to Iran, the US would retaliate. “Oh they’ll be hit, very hard, don’t worry," he said. “You just ask them. They know what happened. They’ll be hit very hard.” Maryam Zakir-Hussain 3 October 2026 01:00 Newer 1 / 3 Older