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US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: The US-Israel-Iran war continues to raise concerns over regional security, energy supplies and global economic stability, with US President Donald Trump signalling that Washington may target Iran’s underground Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility. At the same time, Iranian leaders have rejected the prospect of surrendering under pressure, while reports point to continued Iranian fuel exports despite a US naval blockade and persistent restrictions on shipping near the Strait of Hormuz.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News
Developments on Friday, October 16, also include Iranian claims that the country’s air defences have strengthened since the conflict began, an oil tanker reportedly catching fire near the Strait of Hormuz, and fresh concerns about US missile-defence stockpiles. Iraq has separately estimated its economic losses from the conflict at $60 billion.
Trump Says US May Target Iran’s ‘Pickaxe Mountain’ Nuclear Site
US President Donald Trump has said Washington may target Pickaxe Mountain, a heavily fortified underground facility linked to Iran’s nuclear programme. His remarks came as the US continues to pursue its stated objective of preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.
In an interview with Newsmax on Thursday night, Trump ruled out using nuclear weapons in the conflict. “I wouldn’t use nuclear. We don’t have to,” he said, according to Reuters.
Trump indicated that Pickaxe Mountain was among the sites under consideration because of its location deep underground near one of Iran’s major nuclear facilities. He also reiterated that he was not considering deploying US ground troops inside Iran.
The remarks signal continued pressure on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, although Trump’s comments do not establish that a strike on Pickaxe Mountain has been ordered or will take place.
Iran Continues LPG and Jet Fuel Exports Despite US Naval Blockade, Report Says
Iran has continued exporting some liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and jet fuel despite a US naval blockade, according to Reuters, which cited shipping intelligence and people familiar with maritime security.
Four maritime security sources tracking Gulf oil movements told Reuters that Iranian cargoes had been concealed in an increasing volume of ship-to-ship transfers involving other Gulf producers off Oman.
An analysis by United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), a US advocacy group that monitors Iranian tanker movements using vessel and satellite tracking, identified at least eight gas tankers carrying Iranian LPG that had departed the Gulf of Oman since mid-July.
The reported shipments highlight the challenges of monitoring maritime trade during the conflict. However, the available information does not establish the full volume of Iranian fuel exports or the extent to which the reported shipments have bypassed US enforcement measures.
Iran President Pezeshkian Says Tehran Will Not Surrender to Force
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has rejected pressure on Tehran to surrender, while reiterating that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons.
Pezeshkian made the remarks during a meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Yerevan, Armenia, on the sidelines of a biodiversity leaders’ summit.
Criticising US sanctions and military action, Pezeshkian described the measures as unjustifiable and inhumane, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
“Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons, and we consider the destructive propaganda against our country to be lies,” he said.
He added that Tehran had remained open to negotiations but would not give in to force. His comments underline the continuing gap between Iran’s position and Washington’s stated objective of preventing the country from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Iranian Navy Reports Oil Tanker Fire Near Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s navy said on Friday that it had detected an oil tanker on fire while the vessel was attempting to cross a prohibited area east of the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf of Oman, according to Al Jazeera’s report on Iranian state media.
The navy described the vessel as violating restrictions and alleged that it had switched off its tracking systems. It did not specify the cause of the fire or provide independently verified details about the vessel’s condition.
Iranian officials warned that uncoordinated movements through shipping routes and restricted areas could increase risks to other vessels.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important passage for global energy shipments. The circumstances surrounding the reported fire, including whether it was connected to military activity, remain unclear based on the information available.
Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Traffic Remains ‘Very, Very Limited’
Iranian army chief Amir Hatami said traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained “very, very limited”, claiming that the waterway was under the supervision of Iran’s army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
According to Iran’s Mehr News Agency, Hatami said the strait would remain closed until what Tehran describes as the rights of the Iranian people were respected.
He also claimed that Iranian forces had fired on three vessels that entered the Sea of Oman, warning that Tehran had taken action against ships it considers hostile.
These statements reflect Iran’s position on maritime access, but the claims about control, vessel movements and attacks should be distinguished from independently verified assessments. Continued disruption in the area could have implications for oil and gas transportation, shipping costs and global energy markets.
Iran Claims Air Defence Capabilities Have Improved Since February
Iranian army spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammad Akrami-Nia said the country’s air defence capabilities were stronger on Friday than when the war began in February.
Speaking to Tasnim News Agency, Akrami-Nia said Iran had introduced new equipment into combat units and implemented updated operational plans.
He also claimed that Iranian forces had shot down several US drones in recent weeks and conducted joint exercises with the IRGC aerospace force to improve coordination.
The statements indicate that Tehran is seeking to demonstrate greater military readiness as the conflict continues. However, the claims about improved capabilities and drone interceptions have not been independently established by the information provided.
Iraq Estimates Economic Losses From US-Iran War at $60 Billion
Iraq has estimated its economic losses from the US-Iran conflict at $60 billion, highlighting the war’s impact beyond the countries directly involved.
According to Al Jazeera, the Iraqi News Agency quoted a statement from the Iraqi foreign ministry saying the continuation of the conflict had caused significant economic losses.
The statement also warned that the fighting had aggravated the global energy crisis and increased concerns about inflation.
Iraq’s assessment points to the wider economic risks associated with regional instability, particularly disruptions to energy markets, trade and transport routes. The reported $60 billion figure is the Iraqi government’s estimate; the available information does not provide a detailed breakdown of the losses.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: US Missile Defence Shortage Could Persist Until 2030, Report Says
The United States could face shortages of key missile-defence munitions through 2030, with the Iran war adding pressure to already constrained stockpiles, CBS News reported, citing multiple US officials.
According to the report, a Pentagon assessment prepared before the war warned that inventories of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors and Patriot missiles would remain strategically low through the end of the decade.
The reported shortage reflects several pressures, including Patriot missile transfers to Ukraine, munitions used to defend Israel and limitations in the US defence industrial base.
A Center for Strategic and International Studies estimate cited by CBS News said the US entered 2026 with approximately 2,300 Patriot interceptors. It estimated that between 1,050 and 1,430 were used during the Iran war, potentially accounting for as much as 61% of the prewar inventory.
The report was also discussed by Iran International, which referred to the removal of former US Army chief General Randy George from his post in April by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. The circumstances surrounding that personnel decision should not, by themselves, be taken as evidence that it was caused by disagreements over missile stockpiles.
The reported figures underscore concerns about the time required to replenish advanced defensive munitions as the US continues to support military operations and allies.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: What the Latest Iran War Developments Mean
The latest developments point to several overlapping challenges: the possibility of further US action against Iranian nuclear infrastructure, Tehran’s refusal to surrender under pressure, uncertainty over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, and the wider economic and military costs of the conflict. Iran’s reported fuel exports despite the US naval blockade also raise questions about enforcement and maritime monitoring. Meanwhile, reports of pressure on US missile-defence inventories highlight the potential long-term demands of sustaining military operations. The situation remains fluid. Statements by US and Iranian officials, as well as reports concerning shipping incidents and military capabilities, require careful distinction between official claims and independently verified facts.
