US President Donald Trump on 6 October 2026 issued a stark warning to Iran, saying Tehran would 'suffer greatly' if it was found responsible for threats that prompted Washington to reposition military assets away from Britain — while simultaneously leaving the door open to direct diplomatic talks with the Islamic Republic.

The Threat and the Military Movement

Speaking to reporters before departing aboard Marine One, Trump confirmed that specific threats had triggered the movement of US bombers from British soil. 'Yeah, I think we can say that. I mean, they didn't fly out by accident,' he said, adding: 'There were some threats and, rather than tempting the enemy, we'll capture the enemy and beat the enemy.'

Trump initially stopped short of identifying those responsible, but later indicated that US authorities had already established who was behind the threats. 'We actually know the people that made the threat and they've got themselves a big problem,' he said. When pressed on whether the threat-makers were linked to Iran, Trump replied: 'They would be linked to Iran.'

On the specific question of whether Iran had allegedly brought combat drones into Britain — the move reportedly prompting the repositioning — Trump did not confirm the detail but warned: 'I can't tell you that but if they did, they'll suffer greatly.'

Trump's Stance on UK as a Base for US Forces

Despite the repositioning, Trump insisted that Britain remained a safe location for American military personnel, citing his relationship with the British prime minister. 'I think it is and I have a very good relationship with your new prime minister,' he said when asked whether the UK was still a secure base for US forces.

Iran Accused Over FlyDubai Attack

Trump also alleged Iranian responsibility for a separate incident involving airline FlyDubai. 'I do; I personally do,' he said when asked whether he believed Iran was behind what a reporter described as a terrorist attack involving the carrier. He did not present evidence or elaborate further during the exchange, and the allegation remains unverified based on publicly available information at the time of writing.

Diplomacy Still on the Table

Notably, even as Trump delivered his sharpest rhetoric toward Tehran in the exchange, he left the door unmistakably open to negotiations. Asked directly whether he was willing to engage in direct talks with Iran, the President gave a one-word answer: 'Yeah, always.' This reflects a pattern consistent with Trump's broader foreign-policy posture — high-pressure warnings paired with a stated willingness to deal.

Oil, Russia, and Iran's Nuclear Ambitions

Trump also addressed energy markets during the exchange, tying Iran to broader geopolitical dynamics. He claimed that attacks on Russian refineries were straining diesel supplies, with Europe and the United States drawing on reserves. 'Gasoline prices are going down very rapidly. When the war ends, they'll drop like a rock and the war is going to end very soon,' Trump said. He closed the subject with a definitive declaration: 'Iran will never have a nuclear weapon.'

The remarks come amid sustained tensions in the Middle East and ongoing uncertainty over the status of any renewed nuclear framework with Tehran. How Iran responds to both the warning and the diplomatic overture is expected to shape the next phase of US-Iran engagement.