U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that President Donald Trump hopes to resolve the Iran conflict through "diplomatic" means and is more inclined not to use military force.
Rubio told reporters over the weekend, "He [Trump] hasn't made a decision yet... What the president conveys to you is an incredible level of confidence: if we need to take military action, we will be capable of doing so, and we indeed have all the necessary conditions to succeed. But we prefer to resolve this issue peacefully."
At the time of these remarks, reports indicated that both sides were preparing for potential further military strikes after the mid-term elections.
On Saturday, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called on Tehran's armed forces to respond "immediately, effectively, and without geographical limitations" to "any level or type of threat."
He also ordered the update of military databases to include "all physical and non-physical assets of American-Zionist enemies within the scope of strikes by armed forces," referring to American and Israeli troops.
Washington has not yet made it clear whether it plans to resume attacks on Iran, but reports from The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times indicate that the United States is preparing for the possibility of resuming military action after the mid-term elections on November 3rd.
Trump said on Right Side Broadcasting Network on Sunday: "We have achieved such a victory, and we will resolve this matter soon, no matter what."
“Either they reach an agreement, or we end it,” he added.
Iran targets British intelligence agencies
On Sunday, Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs designated the British military intelligence agency as a "hostile organization" and accused the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force of supporting "terrorist organizations."
The ministry issued a statement on Telegram stating that this move was in response to London's "malicious" actions, which included listing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard of Iran as a "terrorist organization."
Teheran also separately accused the UK of participating in the US-Iran war by allowing US troops to use British military and logistical bases.
According to BBC, the UK once allowed the US military to use Fairford Royal Air Force Base and Diego Garcia Island for what were termed "defensive" strikes against Iran.
