US President Donald Trump suggested on Saturday that Iran has “virtually given up” any plans to develop nuclear weapons, one of his administration’s most frequently stated objectives in the war with Tehran, now in its eighth month.
Trump also claimed oil prices were currently decreasing, long elevated after Israel and the US launched strikes against Iran on Feb. 28.
“Oil is coming down. Oil is right now lower, and it's been lower than it was under the Biden administration, and they did nothing about the fact that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Trump told reporters as he departed the White House to attend a rally in the state of Ohio.
“By the way, Iran, as you know, has virtually given up any plans of a nuclear weapon,” he added.
Iran has long denied accusations by the US and Israel that it seeks to develop nuclear weapons, a position reiterated by President Masoud Pezeshkian during his visit last month to New York for the UN General Assembly.
Pezeshkian said Tehran is not seeking nuclear weapons because of a religious prohibition, and offered to dilute its enriched uranium stockpiles under international verification.
Iran, however, has maintained that it will not compromise on its peaceful civilian nuclear program or make structural concessions unless the US lifts economic sanctions.
Iran army plans volunteer training programme for “national defence”
The Iranian army plans to begin training volunteers under a programme aimed at preparing citizens for “national defence”, Al Jazeera reported, citing the West Asia News Agency (WANA).
The Iranian army plans to begin training volunteers under a programme that aims to prepare citizens for “national defence,” reports West Asia News Agency (WANA).
🔴 LIVE updates: https://t.co/HrCht5WdbF pic.twitter.com/szKJzCl5sX
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) October 4, 2026
Iran has also opened a military training centre for everyday citizens in Tehran as part of the programme.
Iran has opened a military training centre for everyday citizens in Tehran.
🔴 LIVE updates: https://t.co/ZeV953aMQq pic.twitter.com/ssN9HQwu9D
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) October 4, 2026
Hegseth says Trump has “options” if Iran “play games” over Hormuz
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remains “ironclad”, warning that President Donald Trump has “options” if Iran continues to “play games” with the vital sea passage, Al Jazeera reported.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Washington’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz remains “ironclad”, and that Trump has “options” if Iran continues to “play games” with the vital sea passage.
🔴 LIVE updates: https://t.co/CmkFLpfZqL pic.twitter.com/RICG5zXU6l
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) October 4, 2026
US carrier George HW Bush visits Thailand after Middle East deployment
The US aircraft carrier George HW Bush arrived off Thailand's resort island of Phuket on Sunday with about 4,800 personnel aboard for a rest-and-recreation break after months of supporting US operations in the Middle East.
The Nimitz-class carrier had been operating in the Arabian Sea during the conflict with Iran, according to multiple media reports.
The carrier will anchor offshore, while crew members are expected to come ashore through Phuket Deep Sea Port and spend time on the popular southern resort island from October 4 to 9, local media reported.
Read: US sends additional Patriot batteries to protect Saudi, Qatari energy sites: Axios
The visit follows a five-day port call by the US carrier Abraham Lincoln at Laem Chabang in eastern Thailand last month, with about 5,000 sailors and Marines aboard.
A local mayor had estimated each US service member from the Lincoln could spend up to 3,000 baht ($89) per day during the visit.
Thailand is the United States' only treaty partner in mainland Southeast Asia.
