United States President Donald Trump asserted on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, that his administration did not initiate the conflict with Iran, a declaration made just as Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it had destroyed a US-made drone near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, October 29. These developments unfold against a backdrop of ongoing hostilities that have claimed over 3,000 Iranian lives since February.
Speaking at a rally in Ohio ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections, President Trump commented on Iran's military capabilities, noting their missile arsenal was 'much less' than perceived and suggesting their drone manufacturing faced significant challenges due to electricity shortages. He emphatically stated, 'We didn't start this war. It should have been taken care of long before I came here,' referencing the February 28 strikes launched by the US and Israel on Iran, which occurred even as Oman-mediated talks on Tehran's nuclear program were progressing.
The IRGC's precise claim, disseminated via state news agency IRNA, detailed the interception of a US-manufactured unmanned aerial vehicle. The drone, according to the Revolutionary Guard, was brought down off the coast of Sirik, within the eastern airspace of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime choke point.
This incident coincides with intelligence reaching Middle East countries and regional allies from US officials, urging preparedness for potential renewed military action against Iran following next week's midterm elections. Diplomats briefed on the matter also indicated the possibility of retaliatory actions from Iran. While President Trump has not finalized a decision on new strikes, an Associated Press report citing US diplomats confirms his repeated consideration of ordering fresh military operations once the pivotal November 3 elections conclude. These escalating threats and Washington's directives to its allies are heightening regional vigilance, signaling a possible return to major military engagements.
Image: Wikipedia — Donald Trump
📰 Source: Siasat Gulf