Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today.
Already a member?
Log in
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.”
Iran war could cost Trump mid-terms
Donald Trump has admitted that the Iran war could cost the Republicans the mid-terms.
Asked if the seven-month war could impact his party at the November elections, the US president told reporters on Thursday: “Well, it’s possible.
“It should help because Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.
“So when you say, ‘Is it OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon?’ I would say 100 per cent of the people say no, including worldwide.”
A poll conducted for CNN by SSRS found Republican approval of the war fell from 73 per cent in March to 60 per cent in the latest survey.
Sian Elvin2 October 2026 16:30
G7 leaders agree to release fuel reserves
G7 leaders have agreed to release strategic reserves “up to 100 million barrels, within four months”, French President Emmanuel Macron has said.
He added the leaders will “take no measures to restrict the exchange of energy and petroleum products between partner countries”.
It comes following a stand-off with Donald Trump in the wake of the US conflict with Iran, after he claimed Europe is going to “release a massive amount” of its diesel stocks.
Sian Elvin2 October 2026 15:37
Trump adds to reasons he started Iran war
Donald Trump has added Iran “doing drugs” to the list of reasons for starting his unpopular war eight months ago.
The president has long said the ongoing conflict with the Islamic Republic, which began at the end of February, was launched to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
However, speaking at a rally in Durant, Oklahoma, on Thursday, 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. These drug factories/nuclear factories were hit so hard.”
Sian Elvin2 October 2026 15:00
UK average diesel pump price hits £2 per litre for first time
The average pump price of a litre of diesel fuel hit £2 ($2.64) in Britain for the first time on Friday, according to data compiled by the RAC, the latest landmark in a global surge in fuel prices.
Prices have been inching steadily higher since passing the previous high of 199.09 pence on Monday. That old record was set in June 2022 shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said the rise in prices was “showing no signs of slowing”.
EU countries discussed a French proposal on Friday to release diesel stocks in response to US pressure to help cool surging fuel prices.
French president Emmanuel Macron intends to hold a call with his counterparts from the G7 to discuss actions on the world markets for crude and refined products after discussing the issue with Donald Trump.
Adam Withnall2 October 2026 13:30
EU fully rejects any ban on diesel, EU spokesperson says
The European Union “fully rejects” the threat made by the US to ban diesel exports if Europe does not release more of its fuel stocks, European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen said on Friday.
“A ban would not be beneficial to anyone. It would undermine our trust in the United States as a reliable partner,” she said, adding that the next EU’s Oil Coordination Group meeting is scheduled for 15 October, but could be brought forward if needed.
Adam Withnall2 October 2026 12:30
French president to hold call with G7 leaders to discuss stock releases
French president Emmanuel Macron intends to hold a call with his counterparts from the G7 to discuss actions on the world markets for crude and refined products after discussing the issue with US president Donald Trump in a call, Elysee Palace said on Friday.
The Elysee added that Macron had emphasised the need for G7 countries to work together to fight fuel price hikes and refined product supply with no restrictions on exports.
France has asked its EU partners to release additional diesel stockpiles, in response to US pressure on European nations to unleash more supplies in an attempt to reduce surging fuel prices, a source familiar with details of the discussion told Reuters on Friday.
Adam Withnall2 October 2026 11:15
Trump now claims US started war with Iran ‘because they were doing drugs’
Adam Withnall2 October 2026 10:15
Iran ‘weighing options’ against US as talks remain stalled, says Israeli official
Iran is weighing its options for how to hit back if the US resumes hostilities and could attempt to disrupt Israel’s upcoming election, a senior Israeli defence official told the Jerusalem Post.
The official said Iran was still assessing the American side’s willingness to resume stalled talks on its nuclear programme and the easing of sanctions.
“The Iranians are looking for tools within this campaign. They are asking themselves how they can get out of this situation. It is reasonable to assume that they are also discussing the possibility of influencing the elections in order to understand the other side,” the official was quoted as saying.
Adam Withnall2 October 2026 09:15
Trump touts ‘best numbers’ despite his dismal approval rating
Trump’s war with Iran has become staggeringly unpopular and by far the least popular of Trump’s stances among his own voters.
Three in four Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of relations with Iran in a recent CNN/SRSS poll, and other surveys have shown that Americans broadly doubt that the president has a solid strategy for extracting the US from the conflict.
Adam Withnall2 October 2026 08:10
Yemen carries out 20 airstrikes on Houthi targets in Taiz province
Yemen’s armed forces spokesperson said on Friday that air force warplanes carried out 20 precision strikes over the past three hours targeting Houthi movements, reinforcements, gatherings, personnel, vehicles and military equipment in Taiz province.
The strikes hit hostile targets directly and inflicted losses on Houthi militia personnel, equipment and military movements, the spokesperson said in a post on X.
Adam Withnall2 October 2026 07:00
About the Author
