President Donald Trump ruled out the use of nuclear weapons against Iran and dismissed the prospect of deploying US ground troops, despite emerging reports of potential strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure. Speaking to Newsmax on Thursday, Trump emphasized that while the United States remains the "greatest nuclear power," such weaponry is unnecessary for the current conflict.

The remarks follow CNN reports that the US military has developed plans to target Iranian nuclear facilities and energy sites. These operations could be launched either before or after the November 3 midterm elections, should Trump order a resumption of military action. Earlier this month, Trump indicated he would not resume strikes prior to the elections.

Conventional options under consideration

When asked about the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), commonly known as the "Mother of All Bombs," Trump clarified its nature. He described the weapon as "like a tiny nuclear bomb" in terms of destructive power but stressed it is strictly conventional. The MOAB is the largest non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal, previously used in combat in Afghanistan in 2017 against ISIS militants.

Trump did not directly confirm or deny whether the US was considering using the MOAB against Iran. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the specific strike plans.

Shipping risks escalate in Strait of Hormuz

Commercial shipping faces heightened threats in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy route. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency rated the threat level as "severe" following eight attacks in the strait since October 11.

Recent incidents include the sinking of the Singapore-registered container ship GFS Pride, which was hit by an unidentified projectile and caught fire. The agency stated that "deliberate hostile action" was highly likely in these incidents, raising significant concerns for maritime safety in the region.

The US real estate market is shifting toward buyers, with national inventory rising significantly while mortgage rates climbed to a three-year high of 7.4% in October 2026. This divergence creates a complex environment where increased supply meets reduced purchasing power.

Market dynamics and inventory levels

Data from Redfin indicates that in August, there were 58% more sellers than buyers nationwide, the largest disparity since monitoring began in 2013. The National Association of Realtors estimates the market currently holds 4.9 months of supply at the present sales rate, the highest level in nearly ten years. Despite this surplus, major cities like Seattle and Nashville are seeing listing increases without corresponding sales growth.

Mortgage rate impact on affordability

The 30-year fixed-rate loan averaged 7.4%, the highest level since November 2023. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage also rose to an average of 6.73%, up from 5.53% in the same period last year. These higher borrowing costs are dampening buyer enthusiasm despite the greater availability of homes.

Regional trends: Florida vs. National

Florida presents a contrasting picture to the national slowdown. Home sales and prices in the state are rising, particularly for ocean-view properties. In Pompano Beach (zip code 33062), average condo prices near the ocean increased from $638,875 in August 2025 to $836,358 in August 2026, a jump of nearly $200,000. Statewide housing inventory fell by double digits, supporting price stability.

Additionally, Florida remains a top destination for relocation. Over 200,000 people transferred driver's licenses to Florida in the first half of 2026, the highest first-half total since 2023. New York sent the most residents (23,436), followed by Georgia, New Jersey, California, and Texas.

Notable property transactions

Several high-profile real estate deals highlighted current market valuations:

• Donald Trump’s childhood home in Queens, New York, sold for $1.93 million after extensive renovations.
• An underground Las Vegas "doomsday" mansion built by Avon Cosmetics executive Girard Henderson sold for $4.5 million.
• The vacant lot where Al Capone’s Miami Beach mansion stood sold for $21 million, a $5.5 million profit over six years.
• Frank Lloyd Wright’s Eppstein Residence in Galesburg, Michigan, is listed for $2.1 million.

What the numbers show

The data reveals a structural divergence between national and regional markets. While the US overall faces a buyer’s market characterized by high inventory (4.9 months) and record seller-buyer gaps (58%), Florida exhibits seller-favorable conditions with falling inventory and rising prices. This suggests that migration patterns and local economic factors, such as tax advantages, are overriding the broader pressure exerted by elevated mortgage rates in specific high-demand corridors.