Iran Reportedly Raises Military Alert to Highest Level After Houthi Strike

At the U.N. General Assembly, President Donald Trump said he faced a “big decision” over the ongoing conflict with Iran, threatening to “annihilate” the Islamic Republic if it refused to abandon its nuclear program, end support for militant groups, halt attacks on commercial shipping and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said a deal might be possible after the U.S. midterm elections, defended continued military and economic pressure, and said the United States had sufficient weapons and was expanding production. Iran’s delegation reportedly walked out during his address. The remarks followed warnings from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard that any new U.S. or Israeli attack would prompt sustained retaliation against American bases and interests using new weapons, tactics and targets. The conflict has also involved attacks affecting tankers and energy infrastructure, including an unidentified projectile strike that injured two crew members, and raised concerns about oil pollution in coastal ecosystems and protected marine areas; the United States has urged citizens to leave Iran, while negotiations remain stalled.