Iran-US Conflict: Trump Warns of ‘Heavy Hit’ as Hormuz Tensions Rise

The Iran-US conflict is entering another tense phase after US President Donald Trump warned that Washington may take major action against Tehran, while Iranian officials rejected the prospect of a change in American policy following the US midterm elections. The latest developments include reported tanker fires in the Strait of Hormuz, a diplomatic push by China to prevent renewed hostilities, a security alert in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan Province and fresh flight disruptions affecting UAE–Saudi routes.

The developments come as the Iran-US conflict continues to place pressure on regional security, maritime movement and international aviation. Several of the latest claims remain attributed to the parties involved and have not been independently verified.

Trump Warns Iran of a Possible ‘Heavy Hit’

US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States may need to take major action against Iran, saying Washington has to “do something large”.

Speaking to Fox News about reports that the US was weighing strikes on parts of Iran, Trump said any operation could involve a “heavy hit”. He also reiterated his opposition to Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, stating that Tehran would “never have a nuclear weapon”.

The comments raise fresh concerns over the Iran-US conflict, although the remarks themselves do not confirm that a new military operation has been formally announced. Gulf News reported the comments as part of its live coverage on November 4.

Trump Acknowledges Iran War Played a Role in Midterm Defeat

Trump also acknowledged that the war involving Iran contributed to the Republican Party’s defeat in the US midterm elections.

He described Iran as “a part of it”, while arguing that voters understood the importance of his actions. He also conceded that rising petrol prices had hurt Republicans, saying voters did not like paying more for fuel.

Reuters reported that Democrats won control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the midterm elections. Democratic candidates had linked the conflict to higher fuel and consumer prices. Trump, however, continued to defend his decision to attack Iran.

Iran’s Leadership Rejects Expectations of a US Policy Shift

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Washington’s hostility towards Tehran would not change through political or partisan shifts in the United States.

In a written statement on Wednesday, Khamenei warned that those expecting a change in American policy through concessions were “greatly mistaken”. He also said Iran’s response to any renewed US aggression would be on a much greater scale, according to Reuters.

The statement suggests Tehran does not view the US election result as a guarantee of reduced pressure. The Iran-US conflict remains shaped by military threats, political messaging and uncertainty over whether negotiations can prevent further escalation.

Ghalibaf Says Americans Voted ‘No to War’

Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said the US electorate had delivered a message against war following the Democrats’ strong midterm performance.

In a post on X, Ghalibaf wrote: “Conscience or the cost of living, Americans said NO TO WAR, and we endorse this message.”

He further warned that if the US government ignored what he described as the public’s will, Iran’s “NO” would come with a “Nightmare”. The statement was Iran’s political response to the election results, rather than an official confirmation of a change in military policy.

Strait of Hormuz: Iran Reports Four Tankers on Fire

The Iran-US conflict has also raised concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important routes for oil and energy transport.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), quoted by Iranian state television, said four oil tankers caught fire after striking naval mines while attempting to cross a passage south of the Strait of Hormuz.

The IRGC described the vessels as “non-compliant” and said they were still burning. It also claimed that two other vessels had been halted and that a drone was shot down over the strait.

Verification note: The tanker incidents and drone claim were reported as statements by the IRGC. Reuters also reported the IRGC’s claims, but available reports did not independently establish the full circumstances, the identities of the ships or whether there were casualties. These details should not be presented as independently confirmed facts.

The reported incidents came after Trump said the United States had launched strikes on Iran, following reports of a raid on Qeshm Island, the largest island in the Strait of Hormuz. The Iran-US conflict therefore continues to carry potential consequences for maritime traffic and energy supply routes.

For background on regional security and the relationship between Yemen, Saudi Arabia and strategic shipping routes, readers can also explore MKV Digital Gulf Bulletin’s explainer on Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.

China Calls Avoiding Renewed Hostilities a ‘Top Priority’

China has said preventing a return to fighting in the Middle East is a top priority in its diplomatic efforts.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said renewed hostilities would bring disaster to people across the region. Beijing also said it would support Iran and the United States in resolving their disputes through negotiations and promote a political settlement concerning Yemen and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.

China’s position comes amid heightened concern over the Iran-US conflict and its potential impact on regional stability. Beijing has stepped up diplomatic engagement with countries in the region, including Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia, according to reporting by The Star and AFP.

Saudi Arabia: Civil Defence Lifts Jazan Warning

Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence announced that the danger had passed in Jazan Province after the National Early Warning Platform issued an alert about a potential threat.

The authority confirmed that the alert had been lifted in a post on X. It did not specify the nature of the threat in the reported update.

The development comes as the Iran-US conflict and wider regional security concerns continue to place Gulf authorities on alert. However, the Jazan warning should not be directly attributed to a specific attack without confirmation from Saudi authorities.

Riyadh Airport Attack: Second Indian National Dies

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh announced that a second Indian national critically injured in the October 10 attack on King Khalid International Airport had died in intensive care.

The embassy said it had remained alongside the victim’s family during his hospitalisation and would provide assistance with transporting his remains to India or arranging a funeral in Riyadh, depending on the family’s wishes.

Saudi Gazette and The New Indian Express reported that the death toll from the October 10 attack had risen to 14, with 309 people injured. Saudi Arabia blamed Yemen’s Houthi group for the attack, although the group did not officially claim responsibility, according to The New Indian Express.

The fatality is connected to an earlier incident and should not be described as a new attack on November 4. It adds to the wider regional security backdrop surrounding the Iran-US conflict.

UAE Flights: Etihad Extends Saudi Route Cancellations

UAE flight operations remained mixed on November 4, with airlines continuing to adjust schedules amid regional disruption. Etihad Airways, Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia have issued operational updates affecting services across the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Etihad Airways has extended the cancellation of passenger and cargo flights between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh, as well as Abu Dhabi and Dammam, until November 19. The airline is preparing to resume selected Abu Dhabi–Jeddah services from November 6.

Etihad’s Latest Saudi Flight Update

Etihad said its remaining Abu Dhabi–Jeddah flights would continue to operate according to schedule, while the airline cautioned that further changes remain possible.

The latest changes are relevant to travellers monitoring the Iran-US conflict, but passengers should avoid assuming that every airline cancellation is directly caused by the conflict. Airline schedules can also be affected by operational and security assessments.

For more travel coverage, read MKV Digital Gulf Bulletin’s UAE flights disruption report and its report on Dubai Airport’s biometric and self-service upgrades.

What Travellers in the UAE Should Do

With regional conditions and airline schedules subject to change, passengers travelling between the UAE and Saudi Arabia should:

• Check flight status directly with their airline before leaving for the airport.
• Confirm whether their route is operating, suspended or scheduled to resume.
• Review airline notifications for rebooking or refund arrangements.
• Allow extra time for airport procedures.
• Follow official travel advisories and avoid relying on unverified social media posts.

The Iran-US conflict continues to create uncertainty for regional travel, particularly where airline services depend on changing security and operational conditions.

What Happens Next?

The latest developments point to continued uncertainty in the Iran-US conflict. Trump’s warning of a possible “heavy hit”, Iran’s rejection of expectations for a change in US policy and the reported tanker fires near the Strait of Hormuz have added to concerns over renewed escalation.

At the same time, China is urging diplomatic efforts to prevent a return to hostilities, while Gulf authorities and airlines continue to respond to regional security developments.

For residents and travellers in the UAE, the immediate priority is to follow verified updates, monitor airline announcements and distinguish confirmed information from claims made by parties involved in the conflict.

The situation remains fluid, and further developments could affect regional security, shipping and aviation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Trump say about Iran on November 4, 2026?

Trump said the United States may need to take “something large” against Iran and warned that any operation could involve a “heavy hit”. He reiterated that Iran would never have a nuclear weapon.

Why did Iran say Americans voted ‘No to War’?

Iranian negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said the Democrats’ strong performance in the US midterm elections reflected public opposition to the war. His statement was a political interpretation of the election results.

Did Iran confirm that four oil tankers caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz?

Iran’s IRGC said four oil tankers caught fire after striking naval mines. Reuters reported the statement, but the full circumstances and details of the vessels were not independently confirmed in the reports reviewed.

What did China say about the Iran-US conflict?

China said avoiding renewed hostilities in the Middle East was a “top priority” and called for disputes to be resolved through negotiations.

Which Etihad flights between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia are affected?

Etihad has extended cancellations between Abu Dhabi and Riyadh and between Abu Dhabi and Dammam until November 19. Selected Abu Dhabi–Jeddah flights are scheduled to resume on November 6. Passengers should check the airline’s official updates.