Washington: US President Donald Trump has claimed that American military operations have destroyed Iran’s nuclear weapons capability, vowing that Tehran would never be allowed to rebuild its nuclear programme.
Addressing a Republican rally in Kentucky, Trump defended the military campaign, saying preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons was essential for US national security. He described the operation as a major achievement and predicted it would end “very quickly”. He also forecast a fall in petrol prices after the campaign concludes.
Trump linked the operation to what he described as renewed American military strength, citing defence spending exceeding $1 trillion. He also referred to developments involving Venezuela and Greenland during his foreign policy remarks.
Meanwhile, tensions continued across the region. A Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted four drones over Riyadh and eastern and southern parts of Saudi Arabia. The coalition also announced the destruction of two ballistic missile launchers in Yemen’s Saada province.
In another development, five missiles reportedly targeted the Al-Ma’ashiq presidential palace in Aden, southern Yemen. A local security official blamed the Houthis for the attack. Explosions and smoke were reported near the palace, but details of casualties and damage remained unclear.
The Houthis also renewed warnings to international airlines concerning Saudi airspace and airports. Military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the warning excluded airspace over Mecca and Medina.
The group denied launching an attack towards Saudi territory on Thursday and rejected Saudi allegations that an attack had been directed at Medina.
The developments come amid heightened regional tensions and conflicting claims over military operations and attacks.
