Live updates: Trump announces economic campaign against Iran

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US President Donald Trump said Friday that Iran was seeking negotiations with Washington and facing serious internal difficulties, hours after predicting that the war between the two countries would soon come to an end.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said Tehran was continuing to pursue talks while struggling to meet its financial obligations to security personnel.

"There are talks. They want to talk. They keep talking. They're not paying their soldiers. They're not paying their police. They're in a lot of trouble."

The President also suggested that Washington was not under immediate pressure to bring the conflict to a conclusion.

"We have time, frankly. It's a war, but it is not a typical war."

Earlier Friday, Trump told Kansas City radio station KCMO that the military confrontation with Iran was approaching its conclusion, although he did not provide a timetable or explain how an agreement might be reached.

"It's going to get wrapped ⁠up soon," Trump said during the interview, which took place ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

"We need a guarantee there'll never be a nuclear weapon," he added, reiterating Washington's demand that any settlement prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

The comments came as the administration continued weighing the possibility of renewed military strikes against Iran, potentially before or after Tuesday's elections.

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), had met with Trump at the White House to discuss possible military operations against Tehran.

The meeting, an unusual in-person briefing by the senior American commander responsible for the Middle East, also included Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, according to officials and other individuals familiar with the discussions.

Earlier this week, The Wall Street Journal reported that the United States had alerted several Gulf Arab countries to the possibility of a brief but intensive military campaign against Iran following the midterms.

According to the report, Washington was also reinforcing air defense systems in the region and moving personnel away from military installations considered particularly vulnerable to Iranian retaliation.

Although Trump has repeatedly declined to confirm whether he intends to authorize additional strikes, he has defended his previous decision to attack Iran and indicated that he would make the same choice again if necessary.

At the same time, the administration has maintained diplomatic contacts aimed at exploring a possible settlement.

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that Vice President JD Vance had reached out to Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and a former longtime commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to the newspaper, Vance sent Rezaei a letter intended to examine the possibility of resuming negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)

Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' Israel desk is stopping its round-the-clock news updates at this time in honor of Shabbat. Jerusalem candle lighting time is 16:12 on Friday. Our North American desk will keep you informed until the 17:36 EDT candle lighting time in New York.

The updates from Israel will resume Saturday night, following the conclusion of Shabbat at 17:28 in Jerusalem.

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US Vice President JD Vance pledged Thursday that President Donald Trump would not allow the ongoing confrontation with Iran to develop into an open-ended military conflict, even as Washington considers additional strikes against Tehran.

Speaking at a Fox News town hall in Fort Worth, Texas, ahead of next week's midterm elections, Vance defended the administration's military campaign while emphasizing its opposition to prolonged American involvement overseas.

“We’ve been involved in Iran in some form for seven months. The United States has been dealing with Iran for 47 years, and I promise you that Donald Trump is not going to let Iran become a forever war," Vance said.

The Vice President argued that criticism of extended military interventions should not be confused with opposition to using military force under any circumstances.

“I think there’s a difference between criticizing foreign military misadventures and saying that you can never ever use the American military," he explained.

“If you’re worried about another forever war, Donald Trump is never going to let this be a forever war," Vance added. “He’s going to accomplish America’s objectives, and then we’re going to focus on the other things that we’re doing."

Vance's remarks followed an interview with Reuters earlier this month in which he outlined Washington's conditions for ending the conflict, insisting that Iran must demonstrate a meaningful reduction in its uranium enrichment capabilities.

"If you don't want a nuclear weapon, then why do you need 60% enriched fuel? And if you want to show commitment to not building a nuclear ⁠weapon, don't build highly enriched fuel. That's a very basic threshold issue," Vance said.

"I think if they want to show a commitment to not building a nuclear weapon, they would do something meaningful on their enrichment capacity."

"We're not going to trade words for actions," he emphasized.

Despite those demands, Vance indicated that the administration remained willing to pursue a diplomatic agreement if Iran accepted substantive restrictions on its nuclear activities.

His latest comments came amid reports of renewed contacts between Washington and Tehran.

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that Vance had sent a letter to Mohsen Rezaei, Iran's security chief and a prominent hardline figure, in an effort to explore restarting negotiations and avert further American military action.

According to the report, the communication was initiated at Trump's direction and focused on establishing a framework for talks rather than negotiating specific peace terms.

Trump disputed that account Wednesday, denying that he had instructed Vance to pursue peace negotiations and describing the outreach as humanitarian in nature.

"No. They need help with medical supplies and various things. He asked me what I thought. I said, 'If you want to do that, that's okay'. Basically, it's getting supplies in to help people that are not well."

Meanwhile, the administration has continued examining military options against Iran.

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), personally briefed Trump at the White House on potential military operations.

The meeting was attended by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine and other Cabinet officials. Discussions also covered the ongoing American naval blockade of Iran.

Cooper's appearance was considered unusual because the CENTCOM commander rarely briefs the President in person, suggesting that Washington may be moving closer to a decision on renewed military action.

Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed strong support Thursday for the joint American-Israeli military campaign against Iran, saying the operation launched in February should have been carried out years earlier.

Speaking to Al Arabiya, Pompeo was asked whether he had immediately supported the decision to launch the campaign.

“A hundred percent. What actually went through my mind is it was seven years too late, or maybe 17 years too late," he replied.

“This was a long-delayed effort. It was a deferred liability on the international balance sheet, and thank God President Trump made that choice to go after it," Pompeo added.

The former Secretary of State argued that taking military action sooner could have prevented Iran from acquiring what he termed “Shia drones" and developing medium-range ballistic missiles.

He also criticized former President Barack Obama's 2015 nuclear agreement with Tehran, warning that further delays could have allowed Iran to develop military capabilities similar to those of North Korea.

According to Pompeo, waiting another two to five years could have left the United States confronting “a conventional weapon system surrounding a nuclear program that is nearly impossible to touch."

Pompeo said he hoped the campaign would continue until Iran's leadership faced pressure to fundamentally alter its policies.

“I remember thinking, I hope we stay at this until this regime has to make a fundamentally difficult decision and change its nature," he said.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Admiral Brad Cooper met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday to discuss military options involving Iran, as Washington considers resuming major combat operations against the Islamic Republic, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The meeting, described as an unusual in-person briefing by the top American commander in the Middle East, was attended by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, according to US officials and other individuals familiar with the discussions.

Additional Cabinet members participated in the meeting, which also addressed other matters, including the continuing American blockade of Iran.

The high-level discussions followed a separate meeting Wednesday at the White House involving Cooper, other senior military officials, and Vice President JD Vance.

Cooper rarely briefs Trump in person, raising the possibility that the administration is moving closer to authorizing significant military action.

The admiral previously met with Trump in July, when he joined Hegseth and Caine for discussions aboard Air Force One in Delaware.

Neither the Pentagon nor CENTCOM responded substantively to the report, with spokespersons for both declining to comment.

Thursday's meeting comes amid growing indications that the United States is preparing for another potential confrontation with Iran following the November 3 midterm elections.

The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Washington had warned several Gulf Arab countries to prepare for a possible short but intensive American military campaign against Iran after the elections.

The report also indicated that the US military was strengthening regional air defenses and relocating personnel from bases considered vulnerable to Iranian retaliation.

Trump, who has been campaigning for Republican candidates ahead of the midterms, has repeatedly declined to confirm whether he intends to order additional strikes.

However, during a rally in Texas on Tuesday, the President defended his earlier military campaign against Iran and said he would make the same decision again.

“Somebody asked me yesterday, it’s very interesting, ‘If you had to do it again, would you have attacked Iran?’ I said absolutely," Trump told supporters.

“It’s one of the greatest things I ever did," he added.

Trump also maintained that he would decide when the conflict ends, insisting that any settlement must prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

"Somebody asked me before, when will the war in Iran end? I said, whenever I want it to end. It'll be very quick, but we have to have it end properly, with total and complete - a total statement, they will never have a nuclear weapon. Number one state sponsor [of terrorism]. They will never have a nuclear weapon."

Despite the military preparations, the administration has continued exploring diplomatic possibilities.

The Wall Street Journal previously reported Wednesday that Vance had established contact with Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and a former longtime commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to the report, Vance sent Rezaei a letter intended to explore the possibility of restarting negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

One person familiar with the outreach said the communication had been initiated at Trump's direction and that the President was aware of the effort.

Trump, however, denied Wednesday that he had instructed Vance to begin peace negotiations, describing the contact instead as an effort to facilitate humanitarian assistance.

"No. They need help with medical supplies and various things. He asked me what I thought. I said, 'If you want to do that, that's okay'. Basically, it's getting supplies in to help people that are not well."

The United States has warned several Middle Eastern countries and regional allies to prepare for the possibility of renewed American military strikes against Iran following next week's midterm elections, as well as potential Iranian retaliation targeting their territory, The Associated Press reported Wednesday.

Two diplomats familiar with the warnings said American diplomatic and defense officials had advised regional governments to take precautions against possible attacks by Iran and its proxy groups.

Both diplomats spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to discuss the sensitive communications.

According to the diplomats, President Donald Trump has not yet decided whether to authorize another military operation against the Islamic Republic, although he has repeatedly indicated that additional strikes could take place after the November 3 elections.

American officials have informed regional allies that a new offensive could last several days. However, officials in the Middle East are concerned that retaliatory attacks by Iran and its proxies could prolong the confrontation beyond the initial American operation.

The warnings specifically highlighted the possibility of Iranian strikes against energy installations and other critical infrastructure, prompting Washington to urge its partners to strengthen their defensive preparations.

The White House and other American officials declined to comment on the report.

The latest warnings follow a report published Tuesday by The Wall Street Journal, which revealed that Washington had advised several Gulf Arab countries to prepare for a potentially brief but intensive military campaign against Iran after the midterm elections.

According to that report, the US military has already begun taking precautionary steps in the region, including reinforcing air defense systems and moving personnel away from bases considered vulnerable to Iranian attacks.

Trump, who has spent recent weeks campaigning for Republican candidates ahead of the November 3 vote, has declined to provide a definitive answer about whether he intends to resume military operations against Tehran.

During an election rally in Texas on Tuesday, the President defended his earlier decision to attack Iran and said he would make the same choice again.

“Somebody asked me yesterday, it’s very interesting, ‘If you had to do it again, would you have attacked Iran?’ I said absolutely," Trump told supporters.

“It’s one of the greatest things I ever did," he added.

Trump also insisted that he would determine when the conflict ends, emphasizing that any settlement must ensure Iran never obtains nuclear weapons.

"Somebody asked me before, when will the war in Iran end? I said, whenever I want it to end. It'll be very quick, but we have to have it end properly, with total and complete - a total statement, they will never have a nuclear weapon. Number one state sponsor [of terrorism]. They will never have a nuclear weapon."

The President had previously addressed the prospect of further strikes during an exchange with reporters on Saturday, refusing to disclose whether military action was imminent.

At the same time, he acknowledged that a negotiated agreement with Tehran remained possible, although he questioned whether Iranian authorities would honor such an arrangement.

"Let me tell you, while we're thinking about doing it, and maybe tomorrow, do you really think I'm going to tell you? If I'm going to do it, and there's a possibility I will, there's also a possibility we'll have a nice, big, beautiful agreement. They want to make a deal. But the problem is, will they hold the deal?"

Qatar has presented Iran with a new proposal aimed at ending its eight-month war with the United States, but Iranian officials have dismissed the initiative as unacceptable, Reuters reported Wednesday.

According to an official familiar with the negotiations who is not Iranian, Qatari mediators submitted the draft agreement to Tehran on Sunday. The official said Iranian authorities were reviewing the proposal and were expected to respond by the end of the week.

Qatar and Pakistan have been leading diplomatic efforts to bring the conflict to an end.

The latest proposal reportedly outlines a seven-day process designed to address concerns raised by both Washington and Tehran. Under the plan, the two sides would undertake specific confidence-building measures each day, with several countries serving as guarantors of the agreement.

The official said the proposed timetable could begin as early as next week.

However, a senior Iranian official directly involved in the negotiations disputed the characterization of the initiative, saying Qatar had presented only "unacceptable ideas and not an offer".

The official emphasized that Iran had not changed its position on the nuclear issue and remained unwilling to make concessions.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Wednesday that Tehran was maintaining close contact with mediators to examine proposals that could facilitate the implementation of Iran's own seven-day plan for ending the regional conflict.

Araghchi said Iran remained committed to giving diplomatic efforts an opportunity to succeed and maintained that its proposal could be implemented in less than a week.

Significant differences remain between the American and Iranian positions.

Washington insists that negotiations must address Iran's longstanding nuclear program from the beginning. Tehran, however, demands that its conditions be satisfied first, including the removal of the American blockade on Iranian ports and the lifting of sanctions targeting Iranian oil exports.

Iran also continues to reject Western allegations that its nuclear activities are intended for military purposes.

In late September, Tehran submitted a separate seven-day proposal that included the possibility of reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical international shipping route for energy supplies, provided certain conditions were met.

US President Donald Trump rejected that proposal, leading Qatar to pursue further mediation.

The official familiar with the negotiations said the draft presented on Sunday differed from Iran's earlier initiative, although the specific provisions of the new document were not immediately available.

The same official had previously told Reuters that Qatari mediators coordinated with Washington before traveling to Tehran.

The diplomatic developments come as the Trump administration considers whether to resume military operations against Iran.

The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Washington had advised several Gulf Arab countries to prepare for a potentially brief but intensive American offensive following next week's midterm elections.

According to the report, the US military has begun reinforcing regional air defenses and repositioning personnel away from installations that could be targeted by Iranian forces.

The White House declined to confirm the reported preparations, saying it would not comment on “sensitive military plans that may or may not exist" while stressing that “President Trump keeps all options on the table to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon."

Trump also reiterated his willingness to use military force during a campaign rally Tuesday at the Port of Corpus Christi in Texas.

“Somebody asked me yesterday, it’s very interesting, ‘If you had to do it again, would you have attacked Iran?’ I said absolutely," Trump told supporters.

“It’s one of the greatest things I ever did," he added.

The President also asserted that he would decide when the war ends, insisting that any agreement must permanently prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

"Somebody asked me before, when will the war in Iran end? I said, whenever I want it to end. It'll be very quick, but we have to have it end properly, with total and complete - a total statement, they will never have a nuclear weapon. Number one state sponsor [of terrorism]. They will never have a nuclear weapon."

US Vice President JD Vance has opened a diplomatic channel with one of Iran's most influential hardline figures in an effort to restart negotiations between Washington and Tehran, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday, citing American officials and individuals familiar with the discussions.

The outreach comes as President Donald Trump considers ordering another round of military strikes against Iran following next week's US midterm elections.

According to the report, Vance sent a letter to Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council and a former longtime commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

One source said the letter was sent at Trump's direction and that the President was aware of the diplomatic initiative.

The discussions are intended to determine whether the two countries can establish sufficient common ground to avoid a renewed American offensive, which could take the form of a brief but intensive military campaign in the coming weeks, as noted in a Tuesday report in The Wall Street Journal.

Some officials in Washington reportedly believe that engaging Iran's hardline leadership, which has consolidated considerable influence in Tehran, could produce more meaningful diplomatic progress.

However, the contacts have not yet resulted in a detailed peace proposal.

A person familiar with the exchanges told The Wall Street Journal that Vance's letter and subsequent communications between American and Iranian officials have concentrated on establishing a possible framework for negotiations rather than negotiating specific terms.

Rezaei said last week that Iran would not enter negotiations with Washington unless certain fundamental Iranian demands were satisfied beforehand.

Neither side publicly confirmed the reported diplomatic exchanges.

A spokesperson for Vance declined to comment on the discussions, while the White House directed questions to the vice president's office. An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said he had no information about the reported outreach.

Rezaei and Iran's Supreme National Security Council were unavailable for comment.

Asked by reporters Wednesday whether he had instructed Vance to approach Iran about restarting peace negotiations, Trump denied doing so and characterized the contact as an effort to provide humanitarian assistance.

"No. They need help with medical supplies and various things. He asked me what I thought. I said, 'If you want to do that, that's okay'. Basically, it's getting supplies in to help people that are not well."

The reported diplomatic initiative follows Vance's recent statements outlining Washington's conditions for ending the conflict.

In an interview with Reuters earlier this month, the vice president insisted that Iran must take verifiable steps to reduce its uranium enrichment capabilities before the United States would agree to end the war.

Vance emphasized that Washington would not accept assurances about future restrictions as a substitute for concrete changes to Iran's nuclear activities.

"If you don't want a nuclear weapon, then why do you need 60% enriched fuel? And if you want to show commitment to not building a nuclear ⁠weapon, don't build highly enriched fuel. That's a very basic threshold issue," Vance said.

"I think if they want to show a commitment to not building a nuclear weapon, they would do something meaningful on their enrichment capacity."

"We're not going to trade words for actions," Vance told Reuters.

The vice president nevertheless indicated that the administration remained open to a negotiated settlement if Tehran agreed to substantive restrictions on its nuclear enrichment capabilities.

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he would not hesitate to launch military strikes against Iran again if presented with the same circumstances, describing the decision to attack the Islamic Republic as one of the most important achievements of his presidency.

Speaking at an election campaign rally at the Port of Corpus Christi in Texas, Trump also asserted that he would determine when the conflict ends, emphasizing that any conclusion must guarantee that Iran will never acquire nuclear weapons.

“Somebody asked me yesterday, it’s very interesting, ‘If you had to do it again, would you have attacked Iran?’ I said absolutely," Trump told supporters.

“It’s one of the greatest things I ever did," he added.

The President also addressed the economic consequences of the war, predicting that gasoline prices would soon decline significantly.

Trump characterized the current financial burden on Americans as “short-term pain" that would ultimately give way to longer-term economic benefits.

“You’re going to see very soon, ‘What the hell happened to gasoline? It’s so cheap,’" he said.

Asked about the timeline for ending the military confrontation, Trump maintained that the decision rested with him and reiterated that preventing a nuclear-armed Iran remained his overriding objective.

"Somebody asked me before, when will the war in Iran end? I said, whenever I want it to end. It'll be very quick, but we have to have it end properly, with total and complete - a total statement, they will never have a nuclear weapon. Number one state sponsor [of terrorism]. They will never have a nuclear weapon."

Trump's latest remarks came amid speculation that Washington could resume strikes against Iran either before or after next Tuesday's midterm elections.

The President has made the military campaign against Tehran a recurring subject at his election rallies in recent days, defending the operation as necessary to protect American security.

During a rally in Mississippi on Monday, Trump argued that Iran's development of increasingly sophisticated missiles, combined with its nuclear ambitions, had made American military intervention unavoidable.

He acknowledged the technological capabilities of Iranian weapons manufacturers but emphasized the damage American forces had inflicted on the country's military.

"Iranians make great weapons. They are very smart people, but we beat the s--t out of them," the President stated, adding, "Iranians now have a missile that essentially reached Europe. They weren’t supposed to. We said, 'Where the hell did they get that?'"

Trump warned that Iran's missile capabilities could eventually threaten American cities, specifically mentioning San Diego and Los Angeles.

"And they'd hit our cities. They’d hit San Diego. They’d hit Los Angeles. They'd hit our cities too. So somebody had to do it. It had to be done," Trump stated.

He also rejected the suggestion that Washington bore responsibility for initiating the confrontation.

“We didn’t start the war with Iran. Iran started the war with us," he added.

The President went on to criticize an earlier ceasefire agreement, arguing that the pause in fighting had accomplished little and that he had been skeptical of it from the outset.

"We did a little ceasefire, which I never liked very much. I considered it a waste of time. The ceasefire was just a waste of time, but you like to listen to professionals. We wanted to be nice, but it was just a waste of time as far as I'm concerned," he continued.

Trump had also addressed the possibility of additional military action during an exchange with reporters on Saturday, when he declined to disclose whether another strike was imminent.

While acknowledging that renewed attacks remained under consideration, he stressed that a diplomatic agreement with Iran was still possible.

"Let me tell you, while we're thinking about doing it, and maybe tomorrow, do you really think I'm going to tell you? If I'm going to do it, and there's a possibility I will, there's also a possibility we'll have a nice, big, beautiful agreement. They want to make a deal. But the problem is, will they hold the deal?"

The United States has warned several Gulf Arab countries to prepare for the possibility of a brief but intensive military campaign against Iran following next week's midterm elections, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday night, citing individuals familiar with the discussions.

According to the report, Washington has begun taking precautionary military measures in the Middle East, including deploying additional air defense capabilities and relocating personnel from installations vulnerable to Iranian attacks.

The US military is transferring a Patriot air defense battery from Texas to strengthen its regional defenses, while moving troops away from bases that could come under Iranian fire.

The newspaper described the preparations as indications that Washington and Jerusalem may be positioning themselves for another round of military confrontation with the Islamic Republic.

The White House declined to confirm whether an offensive was being planned.

In response to the report, the administration said it would not discuss “sensitive military plans that may or may not exist" but emphasized that “President Trump keeps all options on the table to ensure that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon."

The report follows an article published Saturday by The Hill, which revealed that the Pentagon had developed several possible military operations against Iran that could be launched after the November 3 midterm elections.

According to a source familiar with the planning, US Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for American military operations throughout the Middle East, has prepared additional strike options that could be executed if President Donald Trump gives his approval.

Another source confirmed that CENTCOM had formulated multiple operational scenarios for review by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

The source stressed that Trump was determined to retain flexibility in deciding how to proceed and did not intend to eliminate any military or diplomatic option before reaching a final decision.

US President Donald Trump defended the American military campaign against Iran during an election rally in Mississippi on Monday, arguing that Tehran's expanding missile capabilities and nuclear ambitions left Washington with no alternative but to act.

Addressing supporters, Trump acknowledged Iran's technological capabilities while emphasizing the damage inflicted on its military by American forces.

"Iranians make great weapons. They are very smart people, but we beat the s--t out of them," the President stated, adding, "Iranians now have a missile that essentially reached Europe. They weren’t supposed to. We said, 'Where the hell did they get that?'"

Trump warned that Iran's missile development could eventually pose a direct threat to major American population centers, including cities on the West Coast.

"And they'd hit our cities. They’d hit San Diego. They’d hit Los Angeles. They'd hit our cities too. So somebody had to do it. It had to be done," Trump stated.

“We didn’t start the war with Iran. Iran started the war with us," he added.

The President also criticized an earlier ceasefire with Iran, saying he had opposed the arrangement and believed it had delayed necessary action.

"We did a little ceasefire, which I never liked very much. I considered it a waste of time. The ceasefire was just a waste of time, but you like to listen to professionals. We wanted to be nice, but it was just a waste of time as far as I'm concerned," he continued.

Trump maintained that military intervention was necessary to prevent the Islamic Republic from acquiring nuclear weapons, even if the operation resulted in higher global energy prices.

He said "we really had no choice" and acknowledged that he had anticipated a potentially significant increase in oil prices as a consequence of the conflict.

"I thought the price of oil was going to go much, much higher, and I was fully prepared to do it...it should've been a long time ago."

The President also pointed to Iran's history of hostility toward the United States, dating back to the Islamic Revolution in 1979, and accused Tehran of responsibility for American deaths over the decades.

“They were killing our people for years," Trump said.

The remarks came amid continued uncertainty over whether the United States would launch another round of military strikes against Iran, an option Trump has been considering in recent weeks.

On Saturday, the President declined to disclose whether he was preparing to authorize additional attacks when questioned by reporters.

Trump nevertheless confirmed that renewed military action remained under consideration, while indicating that a negotiated agreement with Tehran was also possible.

"Let me tell you, while we're thinking about doing it, and maybe tomorrow, do you really think I'm going to tell you? If I'm going to do it, and there's a possibility I will, there's also a possibility we'll have a nice, big, beautiful agreement. They want to make a deal. But the problem is, will they hold the deal?"

On Sunday, Trump ruled out an American strike that day while speaking to reporters before departing for an election rally in Michigan.

“The answer is no. There will not be a strike today," he stated.

Later, during an interview with FOX2 Detroit, Trump stressed that his priority was ensuring Iran never obtained nuclear weapons, rather than securing a rapid conclusion to the conflict.

“You want to see problems? You want to see not only energy problems but death problems? Let them have a nuclear weapon because they will use it," Trump said. “And, I have to do that first."

He also signaled that he was willing to continue negotiations for as long as necessary to achieve an agreement that addressed the Iranian nuclear threat.

“I’m going to make a great deal. I’m a longterm person; I’m not a short term person," the President said.

The Hezbollah terrorist organization has been preparing for a possible new round of fighting with Israel over the past three months, using Iranian financial assistance to rebuild its military capabilities, Reuters reported, citing Lebanese security sources familiar with the group's activities.

According to the report, Hezbollah has received tens of millions of dollars from Tehran to strengthen its military infrastructure, in addition to approximately $200 million previously provided by Iran to support families displaced by the fighting in Lebanon.

The terrorist organization has been working to replenish its weapons supplies, particularly explosives, while expanding its ability to manufacture attack drones intended to target Israeli military positions.

The preparations follow significant losses suffered by Hezbollah during its confrontations with Israel since 2024, including the elimination of thousands of terrorists and senior commanders and the destruction of substantial portions of its weapons stockpiles.

Hezbollah has also been attempting to restore its military command structure following setbacks during battles with Israeli forces. Lebanese security officials told Reuters that the organization experienced serious coordination difficulties in several combat zones, including Bint Jbeil and the strategically important Ali al-Taher ridge.

According to the sources, Hezbollah's reliance on small fighting units and restrictions on the use of anti-tank missiles left some of its forces isolated and unable to effectively counter Israeli remotely operated weapons systems.

The IDF confirmed to Reuters that it employs remotely controlled military equipment in southern Lebanon for surveillance and to limit the risks faced by soldiers.

Despite its rebuilding efforts, Lebanese security sources indicated that Hezbollah has not yet restored its forces or ammunition reserves to the levels it considers necessary for another major confrontation.

Earlier this month, Hezbollah acknowledged ownership of explosives confiscated by Lebanese authorities, stating that the materials were intended for operations against Israel. A Hezbollah representative and a Lebanese security source subsequently indicated that the explosives were designated for use in attack drones.

The organization's preparations come amid concerns that renewed fighting between the US and Iran could also lead to an escalation along Israel's northern border.

Hezbollah entered the conflict on March 2 by attacking Israel in support of Iran, prompting a major Israeli military offensive. The fighting resulted in more than 4,000 deaths in Lebanon and displaced approximately one-quarter of the country's population, according to the Reuters report.

Hostilities decreased during the summer following an interim agreement between Washington and Tehran that included a ceasefire in Lebanon. Although that agreement subsequently collapsed, large-scale fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has not resumed.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah continues to face growing domestic pressure in Lebanon to surrender its weapons.

Responding to Reuters, Hezbollah maintained that the continued Israeli military presence in Lebanese territory justified armed resistance. The organization also disputed claims that its military command systems had collapsed.

However, Hezbollah indicated that it was seeking to avoid providing Israel with grounds for another escalation, particularly because of concerns that renewed fighting could force additional residents of its Shiite support base to flee their homes.

The US State Department said Washington would continue using sanctions and other economic measures against Hezbollah's financial networks. The US Treasury Department also asserted that Iran was facing increasing difficulties funding its allies and transferring money abroad.

The IDF declined to address Hezbollah's reported preparations, while Iran's mission to the UN in Geneva did not immediately respond to Reuters' inquiries.

The commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), Adm. Brad Cooper, visited the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, as US forces reach the milestone of assisting Gulf partners in exporting more than 1.5 billion barrels of crude oil since summer.

According to a statement from CENTCOM, Cooper observed the current operational environment while flying in a US Army CH-47 Chinook over the international waterway. The statement noted that more than 3,000 commercial vessels have successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz with support from CENTCOM forces over the last six months.

"We continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Gulf partners and the shipping industry," said Cooper. "This visit underscores our strong commitment to continued freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz."

CENTCOM further noted that momentum has continued to build in recent months since American forces successfully cleared the strait's international shipping lanes of sea mines laid by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

During the trip, Cooper met with the US service members who supported the mine clearance mission. He thanked them for their continued commitment and dedication.

"Today, primary transit routes in the Strait of Hormuz remain free and clear of Iranian sea mines thanks to incredible efforts by our people," said Cooper. "We remain intensely focused on keeping commercial traffic flowing as we work with our teammates in the US interagency, Gulf Cooperation Council, and shipping industry."

CENTCOM noted that in recent months “over 95% of ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz have sailed through safely despite the IRGC's unwarranted aggression, clearly demonstrating that the United States and regional partners control the international waterway."

American forces continue enforcing a naval blockade of Iran, which resumed on July 14 and covers vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports.

US President Donald Trump said Sunday that he was prepared to take the time necessary to reach an agreement with Iran, emphasizing that preventing the Islamic Republic from obtaining nuclear weapons was more important than bringing the conflict to a swift conclusion.

Speaking in an interview with FOX 2 Detroit, Trump warned that allowing Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons would pose a grave threat to international security.

“You want to see problems? You want to see not only energy problems but death problems? Let them have a nuclear weapon because they will use it," Trump said. “And, I have to do that first."

The President made clear that he was not seeking an agreement merely to achieve a quick end to the war, insisting that any arrangement must address the Iranian nuclear threat.

“I’m going to make a great deal. I’m a longterm person; I’m not a short term person," he said.

Earlier Sunday, Trump ruled out an immediate American military strike against Iran while speaking to reporters before departing for Michigan.

“The answer is no. There will not be a strike today," the President stated.

Trump also disclosed that he had received two different sets of intelligence assessments concerning Iran, including information that remained classified.

Asked about a declassified intelligence report warning of advanced Iranian plots, he declined to elaborate on the findings of the other assessment.

“I have two very different sets," Trump said.

“We have very advanced sets of intelligence on Iran. Some has been declassified and some hasn't," he added, while maintaining that the United States was “doing very well" in its confrontation with Tehran.

The President's comments followed several days of speculation about whether Washington was preparing to launch another round of military strikes against the Islamic Republic.

On Saturday, Trump declined to reveal how close he was to authorizing additional military action when questioned by reporters.

"Would you really think I'd tell you that? I mean, can anybody from the Wall Street Journal ask a question so stupid?" he responded.

Although he refused to disclose his military plans, Trump acknowledged that further strikes remained a possibility, while suggesting that negotiations could still produce an agreement.

"Let me tell you, while we're thinking about doing it, and maybe tomorrow, do you really think I'm going to tell you? If I'm going to do it, and there's a possibility I will, there's also a possibility we'll have a nice, big, beautiful agreement. They want to make a deal. But the problem is, will they hold the deal?"

The possibility of an imminent attack had also been raised Friday by Tom Barrack, the US Ambassador to Turkey and Trump's special envoy for Syria and Iraq.

During an interview with Lebanese-Australian entrepreneur and podcaster Mario Nawfal, Barrack suggested that American military action could take place over the weekend, even as Washington continued pursuing a diplomatic solution.

“Could there be a strike this weekend? Absolutely. The president has been clear, I’m giving you American policy, the president is very clear: he’s open, and available and accessible to a deal. And we’ve been at the table for months and months and months," Barrack said.

Trump was later asked about the ambassador's assessment and appeared to distance himself from the suggestion that a weekend strike was imminent.

“[Barrack] is a pretty powerful man, I guess. If that’s the case, I don’t know anything about it," he replied.

Later Friday, during a campaign rally in Florida, Trump again warned that Iran could face additional American military action if it failed to reach an agreement.

“We may do another little Operation Epic Fury, or they will agree. If they're smart, they will just say, ‘Let's get down to business.’ But I doubt they will do that because perhaps they're not smart.

Figures in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's inner circle and senior members of Israel's defense establishment believe that the Iranian regime cannot be overthrown through military force alone, Kan News reported on Sunday evening.

According to the report, one individual close to Netanyahu recently expressed skepticism that a military operation could bring about a change of government in Tehran, arguing that such action could damage the regime's capabilities without removing it from power.

The assessment differs from Netanyahu's recent statements, in which he called for completing the mission of toppling the Iranian regime during the remaining two years of US President Donald Trump's term.

However, Netanyahu himself expressed a similar position in March, when he emphasized that responsibility for changing Iran's leadership ultimately rests with its citizens.

"Our aspiration is to bring the Iranian people to cast off the yoke of tyranny. Ultimately, it depends on them," Netanyahu said at the time.

Earlier on Sunday, President Trump told the press that no American strike against Iran was expected that day. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reported that Qatari mediators had arrived in Tehran for discussions.

On Friday evening, Kan News reported that the Israeli and American militaries had made preparations for another operation against Iran, the third such potential military campaign within approximately six months. However, no attack plan had received final approval.

The preparations followed Trump's instructions to US Central Command to develop options for striking Iran, without specifying a date for carrying out an operation. The directive also prompted increased vigilance within Israel's defense establishment.

Last week, Kan News reported that Israeli security officials had raised objections to conducting an attack on Iran before the upcoming elections, concerned that such an operation could be viewed as political interference in the electoral process.

Officials also noted that a military campaign could affect the timing of the elections, necessitate extensive reservist mobilization, and have other consequences. These concerns were also raised during discussions between IDF Chief of Staff LTG Eyal Zamir and his American counterpart.

US President Donald Trump addressed the ongoing confrontation with Iran during a campaign rally in Georgia on Saturday night, declaring that American military operations had severely weakened the Islamic Republic while reiterating his determination to prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

In his remarks, Trump defended his decision to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated by former President Barack Obama, saying he had terminated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) "just in time".

He described the agreement as one that "was a road to a nuclear weapon for Iran."

The President then praised the results of the American military campaign against the Islamic Republic over the past year, while stressing that Washington's ultimate objective remained unchanged.

"And we obliterated Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity with Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury. We defeated them militarily, financially, and otherwise. And now we are ensuring that just one thing, we have to make sure that they never, ever have a nuclear weapon. And we'll do that very easily."

Trump also mocked the condition of Iran's military and political leadership, suggesting that the losses inflicted on the regime had complicated efforts to negotiate an agreement.

"They don't have any airplanes, no ships, no anything, no leaders. Level one leader is gone, level two leader is gone," he stated, before joking, "I got to stop because I got to figure out who the hell are we negotiating with."

Earlier Saturday, Trump discussed the possibility of additional military action against Iran during an exchange with reporters.

Asked how close he was to authorizing another strike, the President refused to reveal his plans and criticized the question.

"Would you really think I'd tell you that? I mean, can anybody from the Wall Street Journal ask a question so stupid?" Trump replied.

He nevertheless acknowledged that an attack could take place, while emphasizing that a diplomatic agreement remained another possibility.

"Let me tell you, while we're thinking about doing it, and maybe tomorrow, do you really think I'm going to tell you? If I'm going to do it, and there's a possibility I will, there's also a possibility we'll have a nice, big, beautiful agreement. They want to make a deal. But the problem is, will they hold the deal?"

Trump explained that his administration was seeking a permanent solution to Iran's nuclear ambitions rather than a temporary setback to its weapons development capabilities.

"Look, I could have done the B-2 bomber thing a year ago and left. The problem is, over the course of a year, a year and a half, two years, they would have somehow figured a way to make a nuclear bomb. I've got to make it permanent. That's the only reason I'm doing it, as long as I'm doing it."

The President also highlighted what he described as the extensive damage inflicted on Iran's military infrastructure, including its aircraft, naval vessels, and radar systems.

"We've done an amazing job. Your paper wrote yesterday, two days ago, that we're getting more oil out of the Hormuz Strait than we did before the war started. We get it out very, very strongly. Our Navy has done an incredible job. Our military has done. They have no jet fighters left. They've knocked out every jet fighter in Iran. They've knocked out every ship, 259 ships, all at the bottom of the sea...I knocked out their radar. I knocked out all of the different things. And the only thing they have going for them right now is inflation."

Trump cited Iran's economic difficulties as another indication of the pressure facing Tehran, claiming that inflation had reached 301%.

"They're setting a record in inflation. Their inflation as of this morning, I just read, was 301%. So we've done a great job, and the question is, do we finish that, which would not be difficult, or do we make a deal with them? And that's going to be up to them," he said.

The remarks came a day after Tom Barrack, the US Ambassador to Turkey and Trump's special envoy for Syria and Iraq, suggested that Washington could launch another attack against Iran during the weekend.

Speaking Friday with Lebanese-Australian entrepreneur and podcaster Mario Nawfal, Barrack emphasized that the administration remained open to negotiations despite the possibility of imminent military action.

“Could there be a strike this weekend? Absolutely. The president has been clear, I’m giving you American policy, the president is very clear: he’s open, and available and accessible to a deal. And we’ve been at the table for months and months and months," Barrack said.

Trump was subsequently asked about Barrack's assessment during a conversation with reporters Friday.

“[Barrack] is a pretty powerful man, I guess. If that’s the case, I don’t know anything about it," the President responded.

Later Friday, Trump again raised the prospect of renewed military operations during a campaign rally in Florida.

“We may do another little Operation Epic Fury, or they will agree. If they're smart, they will just say, ‘Let's get down to business.’ But I doubt they will do that because perhaps they're not smart.

Meanwhile, The Hill reported Saturday that the US military has prepared several options for additional strikes against Iran that could be carried out following the November 3 midterm elections.

According to a source familiar with the planning, US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American military operations in the Middle East, has developed plans for renewed attacks that could be implemented if Trump authorizes them.

A second source confirmed that CENTCOM has prepared multiple operational options for consideration by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

Asked about the preparations, a Pentagon official told The Hill that the Defense Department's “job is to develop and present military options to the President."

“We don’t speculate on hypothetical situations or future operations," the official added.

CENTCOM did not respond to the publication's request for comment.

The US military has prepared multiple options for renewed strikes against Iran that could be carried out following the November 3 midterm elections, The Hill reported Saturday, citing sources familiar with the planning.

According to one source, US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees American military operations in the Middle East, has developed plans for additional attacks that could be implemented if President Donald Trump authorizes them.

A second source confirmed that CENTCOM has prepared several potential operations for consideration by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

The source emphasized that Trump intends to preserve his freedom of action and will not rule out any option before making a final decision.

Asked about the reported preparations, a Pentagon official told The Hill that the Defense Department's “job is to develop and present military options to the President."

“We don’t speculate on hypothetical situations or future operations," the official added.

CENTCOM did not respond to the publication's request for comment.

The report comes days after Hegseth traveled to Israel, where he visited American troops in the Middle East and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.

The meeting had not been announced in advance, and Hegseth subsequently confirmed that it had taken place without disclosing the subjects discussed.

Speaking to reporters in Wisconsin on Tuesday, Hegseth highlighted the longstanding military cooperation between Washington and Jerusalem, particularly in efforts to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

“We’ve worked with the Israeli military quite a bit. That’s nothing new. We have for a long time. They have great capabilities, and we appreciate their contributions to assuring Iran never gets a nuclear weapon," Hegseth said, describing Israel as “good partners."

Saturday's report follows an article published Thursday by The Atlantic, which indicated that Trump was considering another military campaign against the Islamic Republic shortly after the American congressional elections.

Officials familiar with those discussions said the potential operation could involve several days of attacks targeting Iran's nuclear facilities, missile and drone capabilities, and energy infrastructure.

The possibility of an even earlier American strike was raised Friday by Tom Barrack, the US Ambassador to Turkey and Trump's special envoy for Syria and Iraq.

Speaking with Lebanese-Australian entrepreneur and podcaster Mario Nawfal, Barrack suggested that military action could take place as soon as the weekend, while emphasizing that the administration remained open to a negotiated agreement.

“Could there be a strike this weekend? Absolutely. The president has been clear, I’m giving you American policy, the president is very clear: he’s open, and available and accessible to a deal. And we’ve been at the table for months and months and months," Barrack said.

Trump was subsequently asked about the ambassador's comments during an exchange with reporters Friday.

“[Barrack] is a pretty powerful man, I guess. If that’s the case, I don’t know anything about it," the President replied.

Later that day, Trump again raised the possibility of military action while addressing supporters at a campaign rally in Florida.

“We may do another little Operation Epic Fury, or they will agree. If they're smart, they will just say, ‘Let's get down to business.’ But I doubt they will do that because perhaps they're not smart.

When The Hill requested comment from the White House regarding the reported military preparations, officials referred the publication to Trump's remarks to reporters on Friday.

US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said Friday that the United States could launch military strikes against Iran as early as this weekend, warning that President Donald Trump is prepared to act if Tehran continues threatening American allies and international security.

Speaking in an interview with podcaster Mario Nawfal, Barrack emphasized that the possibility of imminent military action remained on the table, even as Washington continued seeking a diplomatic agreement with the Islamic Republic.

"Could there be a strike this weekend? Absolutely. The President has been clear."

Barrack stressed that Trump remained willing to negotiate with Iran but would not allow diplomatic efforts to continue indefinitely without meaningful progress.

"I'm giving you American policy. The President is very clear. He's open and available and accessible to a deal."

The ambassador said months of negotiations had focused initially on eliminating the immediate threat posed by Iran's nuclear program, an objective he suggested had largely been achieved.

"And we've been at the table for months and months and months. Starting with what's clear is the elimination of the imminent threat of nuclear. I think we've established that."

According to Barrack, the remaining nuclear questions involve the future of uranium enrichment, preventing proliferation, and determining the duration of any agreement.

He explained that negotiations had considered different time frames for restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities, ranging from five to 20 years, and suggested that the sides were approaching an understanding on that issue.

However, the ambassador indicated that the nuclear question was only one component of a broader dispute involving Iran's regional activities, economic sanctions, and control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Barrack said the negotiations also concerned the possibility of unfreezing Iranian assets, lifting sanctions, ending military confrontations, and ensuring continued American support for Israel.

Despite those efforts, Barrack suggested that reaching an agreement had become increasingly complicated by uncertainty over who could make binding decisions within Iran's leadership.

He pointed to the impact of American military operations against senior members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), arguing that the loss of key figures had complicated Tehran's decision-making structure.

The ambassador also acknowledged diplomatic efforts by Qatar, Pakistan, and Oman to facilitate negotiations.

Barrack distinguished between the Iranian people and the country's ruling military establishment, emphasizing that Trump respected Iran's history and civilization.

"President Trump has great respect for the Iranian civilization. It's 3,000 years old. It's some of the most amazing poetry, some of the most amazing art, some of the most amazing people."

He identified the IRGC, rather than the Iranian population, as the principal adversary of the United States.

"The adversary is the IRGC. Since 1979, this harsh entity that was created that's at odds with Israel and at odds with us. The Iranian people themselves are not, can't be in this fabric."

Barrack also clarified that Washington's objective was not to overthrow Iran's government.

"The consequence won't be regime change. The United States, the president of the United States has said he's not interested in regime change. He's interested in rebalancing so that there's no hostages, there's no threats, and the world can calm down and ensure of what's there."

He explained that attempts to replace governments frequently create uncertainty about what follows, particularly when there is no clear plan for maintaining stability.

Instead, the administration seeks an arrangement that would eliminate nuclear threats, curb Iran's activities through regional armed groups, and reduce tensions with neighboring countries.

Barrack compared Iran's regional network to a hand with five fingers, identifying Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran-backed militias in Iraq among the organizations through which Tehran exerts influence.

He said ending those activities was a central American demand, alongside protecting Israel and other regional partners.

Nawfal cited Trump's recent remarks suggesting that a decision on Iran could come sooner than many observers expected, despite widespread speculation that additional strikes would be delayed until after the November midterm elections.

Barrack did not confirm that a decision to attack had been made. However, he emphasized that Trump's warnings should be taken seriously.

"So one thing I know for sure is the president doesn't make idle threats. He just doesn't."

The ambassador said the President's decisions were informed by intelligence and developments that were not necessarily available to the public, explaining why American policy might appear to shift from one day to the next.

"It's on and off because he has more information than all of us. And he's making intelligent decisions, heartful decisions on a day-by-day basis. But if the world is starting to be choked, and it seems that there's not a parallel path, I think that we can be certain that he will do what he said."

Trump was later on Friday asked by a reporter about Barrack’s comments and replied, “[Barrack] is a pretty powerful man, I guess. If that’s the case, I don’t know anything about it."

He subsequently spoke at a rally in Florida and said, “We may do another little Operation Epic Fury, or they will agree. If they're smart, they will just say, ‘Let's get down to business.’ But I doubt they will do that because perhaps they're not smart.

(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)

US President Donald Trump said Friday that Iran has been severely weakened economically and militarily, suggesting that Washington could either intensify its campaign against the Islamic Republic or allow continued economic pressure to further undermine the regime.

Speaking to reporters, Trump claimed that the United States had achieved its objectives in the conflict and was now in a position to determine how to proceed.

"They have no money. The question is, do we want to finish it off or do we just want to let it wither? Because we are getting everything we want. We have more oil coming out of the Hormuz Strait today than they did a year ago," Trump said.

The President also asserted that American forces had established complete control over the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, while suggesting that the United States possessed the military capability to seize Iranian territory and oil resources.

"Iran is not able to do much now," he continued. "And we could, if we wanted to, just take all of the oil. We could take the whole country. And as you know, the Hormuz Strait is totally ours, and that's the way we'll keep it."

Trump further pointed to Iran's deteriorating economic situation, citing what he described as exceptionally high inflation.

"They have no money. They have inflation that's 301 percent, that's the highest in the world right now. So we'll see," Trump stated.

His comments followed remarks Thursday in which he indicated that additional American military operations against Iran remained under consideration.

Speaking outside the White House before traveling to a campaign rally in Iowa ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, Trump defended his decision to launch the military campaign, arguing that previous administrations had failed to address the Iranian threat.

He said he is "doing what should have been done by other presidents. There's a price to pay, which I knew immediately when I did it."

The President acknowledged that the war had generated differing opinions but reiterated that preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons was a central objective of his administration.

"But we can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon. I mean, in one way, people probably don't love it. But many people, many great patriots really love it."

Trump then suggested that the American military campaign might not yet be over.

"This should have been done a long time ago by other presidents, the Iran war. And we've knocked the hell out of them. And we may do it a little bit further."

Meanwhile, The Atlantic reported Thursday that Trump is considering authorizing another round of military strikes against Iran, potentially beginning shortly after the November 3 congressional elections.

According to officials familiar with the administration's deliberations, the proposed operation could involve several days of attacks targeting Iran's nuclear facilities, missile and drone capabilities, and energy infrastructure.

The report indicated that Trump's growing impatience with Tehran's refusal to return to negotiations has contributed to discussions about renewed military action, although no final decision has been announced.

(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)

US President Donald Trump once again on Thursday night reiterated that the war in Iran would end soon, vowing that gas prices would sharply go down once that happens.

Speaking at a rally in Iowa ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, the President stated, "We're gonna have Iran finished very soon. one way or the other. It's almost insignificant to me which way."

He then added, “It's going to be done very soon, and your gasoline prices and your oil is going to come tumbling down."

Earlier on Thursday, Trump suggested that the United States could carry out additional military strikes against Iran, reiterating his determination to prevent the Islamic Republic from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House before departing for a campaign rally in Iowa ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, Trump defended his administration's military campaign against Tehran and argued that previous presidents should have confronted the Iranian nuclear threat.

He said he is "doing what should have been done by other presidents. There's a price to pay, which I knew immediately when I did it."

Trump acknowledged that his decision to launch the war had generated differing reactions but maintained that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remained essential.

"But we can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon. I mean, in one way, people probably don't love it. But many people, many great patriots really love it."

The President then indicated that further military action remained a possibility.

"This should have been done a long time ago by other presidents, the Iran war. And we've knocked the hell out of them. And we may do it a little bit further."

Thursday's remarks followed Trump's statements at a campaign rally in South Carolina on Wednesday, where he expressed confidence that the conflict with Iran was nearing its conclusion.

However, the President suggested that Washington wanted to ensure that the results of its military operations would be lasting before bringing the campaign to an end.

The war, he stated, will "end very soon. We could leave now, but we want to make sure it lasts for a long time. Now, if you look at that, it's amazing what we did. Our military is unbelievable."

Trump's latest comments come amid continuing discussions within his administration over whether another round of military strikes would be necessary to achieve American objectives in Iran.

On Wednesday, The New York Times reported that American and Israeli military officials had developed detailed plans for renewed attacks against Iran.

According to the report, a new military campaign could begin after the November 3 congressional midterm elections, although Trump has not authorized an operation.

The preparations are reportedly part of the administration's broader deliberations over how to conclude the war while ensuring that Tehran cannot develop nuclear weapons.

Asked about the newspaper's findings, a White House official declined to confirm whether additional strikes were under consideration, saying the administration does not comment on military plans “that may or may not exist."

The official added that Trump continues to keep all options available as Washington seeks to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied a report that US President Donald Trump prevented Israel from launching a large-scale military offensive against Iran earlier this month, telling Arutz Sheva-Israel National News in an exclusive interview that the account is incorrect.

Asked about the report, according to which Israel had prepared to strike Iran but was stopped by the American President, Netanyahu responds: "It's an incorrect report. One day, the truth will come out."

He adds: "But the truth comes out all the time. You know, all these fake reports, they burn out, they fizzle out fairly quickly. Because eventually, the facts come out."

The Prime Minister's remarks come after the Financial Times reported Wednesday, citing three sources familiar with the plans, that Netanyahu had instructed the IDF to prepare a major attack against Iran for the weekend of October 10, but that the operation was called off following opposition from Trump.

According to the newspaper, the IDF had begun preparations for a bombing campaign expected to last several days, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, power plants, other civilian infrastructure, and sites associated with the regime. The proposed offensive was reportedly intended to be more extensive than the joint Israeli-American military operation conducted in February.

The three sources cited by the Financial Times claimed that Trump's opposition was the primary reason the attack did not take place. According to the report, the President was concerned about the economic consequences of renewed hostilities, particularly rising energy prices, ahead of the US midterm elections on November 3.

Despite the reported cancellation, the newspaper cited a source who said that additional military action against Iran remained possible in the coming weeks.

"Either there will be a deal, or there will be an attack," the source told the Financial Times, explaining that Washington was seeking an agreement with Tehran regarding its nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz.

The report also followed an unannounced visit to Israel by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday, during which he met with Netanyahu and senior Israeli defense officials. According to one of the newspaper's sources, Israeli officials presented the Americans with an updated list of potential targets in Iran based on intelligence collected in recent months.

The Financial Times noted that it remained unclear whether the United States was expected to participate in the proposed October operation or whether Israel had planned to act independently.

Last week, Axios similarly reported that Netanyahu and Trump had discussed the possibility of renewing military strikes against Iran ahead of the upcoming elections in both countries. An American official subsequently denied that such a conversation had taken place, while the Prime Minister's Office denied that Netanyahu was seeking to launch a war before the elections.

On Monday, Netanyahu released footage from an Israeli Air Force base showing a conversation with Trump in which the two leaders discussed completing their campaign against Iran.

"Donald, you said we have a job to finish, and we're going to finish it together," Netanyahu tells the American President.

Trump replies: "You're a great fighter, and we're going to prove that very soon. You're the man I want by my side."

Watch the full extensive interview.

With less than a week remaining before Israel's Knesset elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sat down for an exclusive interview with Arutz Sheva-Israel National News to discuss the upcoming vote, his concerns about the future of the right-wing government, President Donald Trump's endorsement, the Iranian threat, and Israel's next steps in Gaza, Lebanon, and Judea and Samaria.

Speaking five days before Israelis head to the polls on October 27, Netanyahu acknowledges that he is concerned about the possibility of losing power, warning that low turnout among right-wing voters and support for smaller parties could allow the left to form the next government with the backing of Arab parties.

"I'm concerned because we're almost in an even deadlock," Netanyahu says.

The Prime Minister argues that while the left-wing parties hold approximately 40 seats in current projections, the addition of the Arab parties could provide them with sufficient support to form a government, comparing such a situation to the alliance between the far-left and Islamists in Europe. "The red-green alliance is destroying Europe. Bigger countries than Israel. Look at France. Look at Paris. Look at Britain."

"If that alliance here, the extreme left and radical Islam, the Muslim Brotherhood of Mansour Abbas and the other Arab parties, no less extreme, led by Ahmed Tibi, if they win the day and they control the government, then we're going to have the Oslo disaster on steroids," he warns.

Netanyahu identifies three major threats to the right-wing bloc's electoral prospects: complacency among voters, support for small parties that may not cross the electoral threshold, and parties that present themselves as right-wing but have not committed to supporting him as prime minister.

Addressing the possibility that right-wing voters may feel confident enough to stay home, Netanyahu warns: "If you don't show up, and the left and the Arab parties show up in much greater percentages, we lose seats."

He compares the potential loss of votes to smaller parties with the circumstances surrounding the election that brought the Oslo government to power, arguing that right-wing parties failing to cross the electoral threshold handed power to the left despite a larger number of right-wing voters.

Winter, Eisenkot, and Zelekha

Netanyahu is particularly critical of Amcha Yisrael chairman Ofer Winter, who he says has declined to commit to supporting him as prime minister.

The Prime Minister cites Winter's recent remarks that he had not decided whether to support Netanyahu or Gadi Eisenkot, as well as his subsequent statement questioning whether endorsing Netanyahu had been a mistake.

"I'm not saying what his predisposition is. I'm saying, where is he going to go? He's actually telling you, I'm not giving you a guarantee that I'll go with Netanyahu," Netanyahu says.

He warns that votes for Winter could be lost if his party fails to cross the electoral threshold, or could benefit the opposing bloc if Winter chooses to support another candidate.

"If he does pass, and he goes with his friend Liberman, for example, then he takes your vote and moves it to the left. How can you take that chance?"

Netanyahu also attacks Eisenkot, accusing him of presenting himself as a right-wing candidate despite what the Prime Minister describes as left-wing political positions.

He directs similar criticism at Yaron Zelekha, questioning his economic positions and accusing him of previously supporting the far-left Meretz party and participating in anti-government demonstrations.

Netanyahu specifically criticizes Zelekha's opposition to offshore natural gas development, which the Prime Minister credits with generating substantial revenues for Israel and lowering electricity costs.

Turning to voters considering these parties, Netanyahu states: "Don't waste your vote. Vote for Likud. Vote for MACHAL. If you want me as prime minister."

'Completely' surprised by Trump's endorsement

The Prime Minister also discusses US President Donald Trump's endorsement of his candidacy, denying reports that he had worked to secure the American President's public support.

Asked whether he had requested the endorsement, Netanyahu responds: "Never asked for it. Not once."

When asked whether he was surprised, he answers: "Completely. I didn't know."

Netanyahu recalls speaking to Trump following the endorsement.

"And when I talked to him, he said, 'You know, I wrote it myself.' And you could see that. It was very Trumpian, very cuts to the chase."

He contrasts Trump's support for his candidacy with what he describes as the support Arab political leaders are giving Eisenkot.

Iran: 'Either we destroy them, or they destroy us'

Discussing the Iranian nuclear threat, Netanyahu reiterates his position that the Iranian regime must be removed from power to eliminate the danger posed to Israel permanently.

The Prime Minister compares Iran's nuclear program to cancer, explaining that despite Israeli operations against its facilities and scientific personnel, the regime continues attempting to rebuild its capabilities.

"They're crippled. They're on their knees. But as long as this regime survives, it'll make its way back," he warns.

Asked whether Iran is currently capable of producing nuclear weapons, Netanyahu says that significant obstacles remain.

"They still have problems with weaponization, with things I won't get into."

The Prime Minister also reiterates the directive he has previously discussed publicly, instructing the Mossad and IDF to work toward the overthrow of the Iranian regime.

"There's only one way to guarantee that it's over. And that is to bring down this regime. That's the directive that I gave the Mossad and the IDF. We're going to bring them down."

When asked how Israel could accomplish such a mission, Netanyahu responds: "Well, we can. They're very weak."

"I think we can, and I know we will," he adds.

The Prime Minister also cites Trump's statements about his willingness to complete the campaign against Iran, arguing that the American President views him as the partner necessary to accomplish that objective.

Addressing a separate report that Trump had recently prevented Israel from carrying out a planned military strike against Iran, Netanyahu denies the account.

"It's an incorrect report. One day, the truth will come out," he states.

Netanyahu presents the Iranian threat as a central consideration in the upcoming elections.

"If we don't do it, you know, it's either us or this thugocracy in Tehran. Either we destroy them, or they destroy us. That's what the voters have to decide on now."

Gaza and Lebanon: 'The IDF to come in and finish it'

Turning to the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu discusses the prospects for disarming Hamas and the possibility of renewed Israeli military operations.

He says that after Israel took control of more than 60% of Gaza, he offered the United States an opportunity to assemble an international force to dismantle what remained of Hamas.

"Everybody agrees, Hamas has to be disarmed. So I said to American friends, I said, OK, you can bring some foreign power that will take Hamas apart. What's left of it, fine with me."

According to Netanyahu, Israel waited several months for such an arrangement to materialize, but no international force was assembled.

"So I think there won't be any alternative. But for the IDF to come in and finish it, just as there won't be any alternative in Lebanon, for the IDF to come and finish Hezbollah."

The Prime Minister argues that the removal of the Iranian regime would also undermine the terrorist organizations it supports.

"But imagine what happens after we finish the Iranian regime and the whole scaffolding of Hezbollah collapses. The Iranian scaffolding of Hamas collapses. We'll finish them all."

Judea and Samaria: 'There won't be a Palestinian state'

Addressing the future of Judea and Samaria, Netanyahu emphasizes his government's record of expanding Jewish communities despite opposition from previous American administrations.

"Building at a record rate," he declares.

Netanyahu recalls the pressure exerted by former US President Barack Obama against construction in Judea and Samaria, claiming that the Jewish population nevertheless nearly doubled during Obama's eight years in office.

He also points to the expansion of communities under his government in recent years, saying that 104 communities have been established, regulated, or developed.

Asked whether applying Israeli sovereignty to Judea and Samaria would be the next stage, Netanyahu confirms that the issue has been discussed with Trump but declines to announce a specific plan.

"Well, it was discussed with the president. Again, I think that you have to navigate the shoals and the whirlwinds of diplomacy carefully."

"So I'd rather do rather than announce, as opposed to some of my opponents on the right who would announce rather than do."

The Prime Minister also reiterates his opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state.

"As long as I'm prime minister of Israel, there won't be a Palestinian state. That's a formula for our destruction. So that won't happen."

'The greatest support I have right now is in certain Arab capitals'

Netanyahu also discusses the prospect of additional peace agreements with Arab countries, arguing that the removal of the Iranian regime would create new diplomatic opportunities for Israel.

"The greatest support I have right now is in certain Arab capitals," he says.

The Prime Minister explains that this support is motivated not by affection for Israel, but by the shared threat posed by Tehran.

Addressing Arutz Sheva's American audience, Netanyahu argues that Israel's security situation demands a leader with substantial international experience.

"We're in the eye of the hurricane. And we have to be very strong and very smart and very experienced," he says.

He again criticizes Eisenkot, questioning his diplomatic and leadership experience, and cites Trump's endorsement as evidence of his own relationship with the American President.

Netanyahu concludes by returning to the elections and urging right-wing voters to consider whether their preferred candidates would ultimately support him as prime minister.

"Don't waste it on small right-wing parties that will never cross the threshold. You'll burn your vote," he warns.

"But if you don't want them, and you want me as Prime Minister, then vote for me. Because otherwise your vote will be taken and given to the left bloc."

US President Donald Trump predicted Wednesday that the war with Iran would conclude "very soon," while praising American military operations against the Islamic Republic and reaffirming his commitment to preventing Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Addressing supporters at a campaign rally in South Carolina ahead of the November midterm elections, Trump highlighted his administration's actions against Iran, beginning with his decision to withdraw the United States from the nuclear agreement negotiated under former President Barack Obama.

Trump described the agreement as "a road to a nuclear weapon for Iran. I terminated it. That was a road to a nuclear weapon."

He then pointed to the American military campaigns against Iran, claiming that they had severely damaged the country's nuclear capabilities and weakened it on several fronts.

"We obliterated Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity with Operation Midnight Hammer, a beautiful operation, and Operation Epic Fury. And we defeated them militarily, financially, and otherwise," Trump declared.

"And now we're ensuring that, and as you know, Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. Should have been done years ago," the President added.

He stated that if Iran had acquired a nuclear weapon, “we would be a tinderbox. Our lives would be very different, because they (the Iranians -ed.) are nuts. [But] they don't play games with me."

Trump also expressed confidence that the conflict was approaching its conclusion, although he suggested that Washington wanted to ensure its achievements would endure before ending military operations.

The war, he stated, will "end very soon. We could leave now, but we want to make sure it lasts for a long time. Now, if you look at that, it's amazing what we did. Our military is unbelievable."

Earlier Wednesday, Trump defended his administration's decision to launch the war against Iran, describing the campaign as one of his presidency's most important accomplishments.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House, he credited the military operations with preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

"I think it's one of the greatest things we've done. We've stopped Iran from having a nuclear weapon. It's one of the best things that we've done," Trump said.

The President argued that his predecessors had been unwilling to take comparable action and claimed that Iran would already have deployed nuclear weapons had he not intervened.

"It took a lot of courage to do it because no other president was willing to do it. And if we didn't do it, Iran would right now have already used massive nuclear weapons."

His remarks followed comments Tuesday indicating that the administration was approaching a decision on whether additional military strikes would be necessary to bring the confrontation to a successful conclusion.

Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump suggested that Washington had several options for achieving its objectives.

“We just have to make a final decision. Which way do we want to win? Do we want to win the nice way or the not nice way?" he said.

Trump's statements came as The New York Times reported Wednesday that American and Israeli military officials had developed detailed plans for another round of attacks against Iran.

According to the report, a renewed operation could begin after the November 3 US midterm elections, although Trump has not approved such a campaign.

The planning reportedly reflects ongoing discussions within the administration about how to conclude the conflict while ensuring that Iran cannot develop nuclear weapons.

Asked about the report, a White House official declined to confirm whether additional military action was being prepared, saying the administration does not comment on military plans “that may or may not exist."

The official emphasized that Trump continues to keep all options available as Washington seeks to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

The United States and Israel have drawn up detailed plans for another round of military strikes against Iran, potentially beginning after the November 3 American midterm elections, The New York Times reported Wednesday, citing US officials and individuals familiar with the preparations.

According to the report, military planners are considering a brief but intensive campaign targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, energy infrastructure, and missile and drone capabilities.

American and Israeli forces have also increased their joint preparations, conducting aerial exercises over Iraq to rehearse maneuvers that could be used in an operation against Iran.

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth discussed the possibility of renewed attacks during a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel earlier this week, American officials told the newspaper. While Hegseth confirmed the previously unannounced meeting on Tuesday, he declined to elaborate on what the two discussed.

Some officials believe that another concentrated military campaign could inflict sufficient economic damage on Iran to compel Tehran to make concessions in negotiations with Washington, following nearly eight months of conflict.

However, Trump has not authorized a new operation, and the report emphasized that a decision to resume major combat operations remains uncertain.

According to The New York Times, some American military planners believe that a three-day offensive targeting key Iranian assets could place enough pressure on the country's economy to change Tehran's negotiating position.

The Pentagon is continuing to assemble forces in the region, with the deployment expected to be completed in early November.

The planned military presence includes three aircraft carriers, thousands of Marines, fighter aircraft, and Special Operations forces.

The timing could also provide operational advantages, as American forces generally prefer conducting strikes at night, and the hours of darkness over Iran will increase in early November.

Although officials have not entirely ruled out the possibility of military action before the end of October, political considerations make an operation after the midterms more likely.

Earlier this month, Trump publicly pledged not to attack Iran before the November 3 elections.

The President has also repeatedly rejected proposals to resume large-scale military operations during the year, according to the newspaper.

The New York Times report follows a separate account published Wednesday morning by the Financial Times, which said Netanyahu had instructed the IDF to prepare for a major strike against Iran during the weekend of October 10.

According to that report, the planned operation was canceled after Trump opposed proceeding with it.

Both American and Israeli military planners are reportedly developing options for attacks against Iran's nuclear program.

One potential target is Pickaxe Mountain, a heavily fortified underground nuclear facility.

Trump said last week that he was considering the use of the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, commonly known as the Mother of All Bombs (MOAB), against the site.

The weapon weighs approximately 22,000 pounds and is designed to generate an exceptionally powerful explosion over a wide area.

According to officials cited by The New York Times, Trump has shown particular interest in the bomb, partly because of its nickname.

However, weapons experts have questioned whether it would be effective against a deeply buried facility such as Pickaxe Mountain.

The MOAB is designed to detonate above ground, producing a broad blast rather than penetrating deep underground. Experts therefore believe it would be unlikely to destroy a facility protected by granite.

Despite the preparations for renewed strikes, Washington has continued pursuing negotiations with Tehran.

American negotiators are reportedly using the possibility of another military campaign to increase pressure on Iran over its nuclear activities and control of the Strait of Hormuz.

However, Iranian representatives have so far refused to make concessions regarding the nuclear program, insisting that the issue be postponed until a later stage of negotiations.

Some American officials believe that further military pressure could change that position, particularly if strikes severely damage Iran's energy sector.

Others have questioned whether another offensive would achieve results that previous operations failed to secure.

Asked about the reports Wednesday, a White House official declined to confirm whether the administration was preparing another operation, saying it does not comment on military plans “that may or may not exist."

The official added that Trump continues to consider all available options to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has no regrets about launching the war against Iran, describing the military campaign as one of the most significant achievements of his administration.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump defended his decision to confront the Islamic Republic militarily, arguing that the operation had prevented Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

"I think it's one of the greatest things we've done. We've stopped Iran from having a nuclear weapon. It's one of the best things that we've done," Trump said.

He also claimed that previous American presidents had lacked the willingness to take similar action against Iran.

"It took a lot of courage to do it because no other president was willing to do it. And if we didn't do it, Iran would right now have already used massive nuclear weapons."

Trump's comments come as his administration weighs the possibility of renewed large-scale military strikes against Iran, following weeks of discussions about how to bring the ongoing confrontation to a conclusion.

On Tuesday, the President indicated that Washington was making progress but had not yet determined whether additional military action would be necessary to achieve its objectives.

During an exchange with reporters in the Oval Office, Trump suggested that the administration was nearing a decision on how to proceed.

“We just have to make a final decision. Which way do we want to win? Do we want to win the nice way or the not nice way?" he said.

Meanwhile, senior Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei reiterated Tehran's refusal to transfer its stockpile of enriched uranium abroad, rejecting a key American demand in negotiations over a potential agreement.

Rezaei's statement came as a Pakistani delegation arrived in Tehran for meetings with senior Iranian officials.

Pakistan has been attempting to mediate between the United States and Iran, seeking to advance diplomatic discussions amid concerns that the conflict could intensify and lead to another round of military operations involving Washington, Israel, and Tehran.

An unusual incident in southern Lebanon nearly led to a diplomatic crisis between Israel and Lebanon, after the IDF accidentally struck a manned Lebanese Armed Forces vehicle during an attempt to destroy an Israeli robotic APC that had gone out of control.

Kan News revealed that the strikes were conducted adjacent to the Lebanese soldiers, but ended without injuries or damage.

The incident occurred last week near the village of Ras al-Biyada, in the western sector of southern Lebanon, where soldiers from the Netzah Yehuda Battalion are operating. An IDF robotic APC, which is operated remotely, was sent on a mission in the area. During the activity, a malfunction occurred and control over the vehicle was lost. The vehicle continued moving and came near an LAF installation.

The IDF decided to destroy the out-of-control APC and launched an aircraft that conducted several airstrikes.

The strikes hit the area around the vehicle which the IDF sought to destroy. However, it was later found that due to an error in identification, the aircraft targeted a manned vehicle belonging to the LAF, and not the Israeli unmanned APC as planned.

The incident comes at a sensitive time, amid the ceasefire and ongoing talks between Israel and Lebanon. According to the report, any harm to Lebanese soldiers could have triggered a serious diplomatic crisis between the two countries and even led to the suspension of the talks.

Responding to the report, the IDF Spokesperson confirmed that the incident was under investigation and emphasized that Israeli military operations in the area are not directed against the Lebanese Armed Forces. "The incident is known and is being investigated. We emphasize that IDF operations in the area are directed solely against the Hezbollah terrorist organization, and not against the Lebanese Armed Forces."

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that Washington was making progress in its confrontation with Iran but had not yet decided how to secure a final victory, suggesting that further military action remained an option.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump indicated that the administration was approaching a decision on its next steps against the Islamic Republic.

“We just have to make a final decision. Which way do we want to win? Do we want to win the nice way or the not nice way?" Trump said.

The President also revealed that he had personally approached several European governments to determine whether they would assist the United States in its confrontation with Tehran.

According to Trump, those countries declined to participate, although he insisted that American forces did not require their assistance.

“We don't need any help, but I was testing them," he said.

Trump was also questioned about Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's unannounced visit to Israel on Monday, during which he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Asked whether he could disclose the subjects discussed during the meeting, Trump declined.

"I can't do that now, no."

The remarks come as the administration considers whether to resume major military strikes against Iran amid continuing tensions between Washington and Tehran.

Trump's comments followed a series of warnings from senior Iranian officials, including the Islamic Republic's new Defense Minister, Mehrdad Ahlaghki.

Earlier this week, Ahlaghki threatened severe retaliation if the United States launched another attack on Iran, warning that American military personnel could suffer casualties.

The Iranian minister maintained that Tehran was prepared to respond to additional military action and would not retreat in the face of American threats.

He specifically addressed reports that Washington might consider using the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB), commonly known as the “Mother of All Bombs", against Iranian targets.

Ahlaghki claimed that Iran had already prepared for such a scenario.

“We have taken the necessary measures to deal with such an action, and we continue our work with confidence," he declared.

He then warned Trump that an American strike could result in significant losses among US forces stationed in the region.

“If he drops one bomb, he should check how many of his forces he will have to remove from the region lying down," Ahlaghki said.

The possibility of deploying the MOAB against Iran had previously been raised during Trump's interview with Newsmax last week.

The President was asked about a CNN report suggesting that the United States was considering using the powerful conventional weapon against Iranian targets.

Trump did not explicitly confirm or deny that such an option was under consideration but emphasized that the bomb was not a nuclear weapon.

“The mother of all bombs is not nuclear. It's not nuclear at all. This is just an extremely large bomb. It's like a tiny nuclear bomb. But the mother of all bombs is one big bomb, but it's not nuclear."

He also ruled out the need to employ nuclear weapons against Iran.

“No, I wouldn't use nuclear [against Iran]. We don't have to. We're the greatest nuclear power in the world."

Over the past several weeks, IDF troops under the command of the 91st Division operated in the areas of Al-Khiam, Tayr Harfa, Meiss El Jabal, and Majdal Zoun, located within the security zone in southern Lebanon.

During their operations, the troops destroyed more than 540 terrorist infrastructure sites, including weapons storage facilities.

Additionally, the forces located more than 150 weapons.

The weapons included grenades, rockets, RPG missiles, short- and long-range anti-tank missiles, artillery pieces, launchers, Kalashnikov rifles, explosive devices, rifles, pistols, small arms, and magazines.

Secret war cabinet transcripts reveal sharp disagreements between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior security officials over the Rafah operation, the campaign against Hezbollah, military moves in Syria, and plans for renewed operations in Gaza. The documents, reported by i24NEWS, offer a rare look at the debates behind some of the war's most consequential decisions.

The report draws on approximately 1,000 documents containing transcripts of cabinet discussions and other conversations from recent years. Netanyahu submitted the material to the State Comptroller as part of an investigation that was later halted by the Supreme Court. The published conversations are not necessarily verbatim quotations, but are intended to reflect the participants' positions and the atmosphere during the discussions.

One of the central disputes took place in May 2024, shortly before the IDF launched its operation in Rafah, in southern Gaza. At the time, the Biden administration strongly opposed an Israeli offensive in the city and threatened restrictions on American weapons supplies. Then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told the cabinet on May 2 that Israel was effectively being forced to choose between entering Rafah and maintaining American support. Netanyahu responded that American opposition was not new, recalling that President Joe Biden had warned him that Israel could be left to act alone if it proceeded with the operation.

Then-Israel Security Agency chief Ronen Bar also expressed reservations, arguing that Israel should not enter Rafah at the cost of a confrontation with Washington. Minister Gadi Eisenkot likewise warned against a rupture with the American administration. Netanyahu, however, maintained that Israel's strategic independence and ability to withstand external pressure had to take precedence, even when the pressure came from its most important ally.

Israel ultimately proceeded with the operation. The IDF took control of the Rafah crossing and the Philadelphi Corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border and defeated Hamas' Rafah Brigade. The campaign also contributed to the broader effort against Hamas leadership, including the eventual killing of Yahya Sinwar.

The transcripts also reveal disagreements over possible Israeli concessions during negotiations for a hostage deal. Options discussed reportedly included withdrawing from the Philadelphi Corridor, relinquishing control of the Rafah crossing, and reducing the IDF's presence in areas captured during the fighting.

Gallant argued that Rafah should not be treated as an untouchable strategic asset comparable to the Western Wall or Mount Hermon, suggesting that concessions in the area could be considered as part of an agreement. Eisenkot also questioned the value of maintaining a permanent security zone inside Gaza. He argued that holding a buffer area encompassing approximately 20% of the Strip, including agricultural land, would not necessarily provide a meaningful security benefit. According to the report, Hamas ultimately abandoned the possibility of reaching a deal during that period, regardless of the positions Israel had presented in the negotiations.

The documents also shed light on disagreements preceding the expansion of Israel's campaign against Hezbollah in Lebanon and the killing of the organization's secretary-general, Hassan Nasrallah. Bar reportedly argued that Israel should use the damage inflicted on Hezbollah to pursue a broader ceasefire agreement that would also address the fighting in Gaza. He assessed that the damage to Hezbollah had been particularly significant psychologically, rather than necessarily representing a decisive blow to its operational capabilities.

In discussions before Nasrallah's killing, Bar reportedly opposed the assassination, arguing that it did not serve Israel's interests at that particular moment. He favored pursuing a ceasefire, even if that meant accepting additional risks. Netanyahu took the opposite position, pushing for continued military action against Hezbollah. According to the report, he secured sufficient cabinet support to expand the campaign despite reservations expressed by senior security officials.

Israel subsequently carried out the pager operation against Hezbollah, followed by Nasrallah's killing, inflicting severe damage on the organization. A ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon took effect on November 27, 2024.

The transcripts describe another dispute following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria. Then-IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi reportedly urged caution when the possibility of rapid military action in Syria arose. He argued that Israel should not rush into an operation without adequate preparation and questioned the need to seize the summit of Mount Hermon, citing the difficulties of maintaining control over the area. Halevi proposed maintaining security oversight from a distance rather than physically occupying the territory. Netanyahu rejected that approach and called for immediate action, arguing that Assad's fall created an urgent need to protect Israel's security interests.

According to the report, Netanyahu emphasized the importance of securing strategic positions and establishing a security zone stretching from the Mount Hermon summit toward the Yarmouk area. Halevi continued to express reservations, but Netanyahu insisted on moving forward.

The report also details an unusual conversation between Netanyahu and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa following attacks against Druze communities in the Sweida area. According to the published account, Netanyahu opened the call by warning that the message conveyed through intermediaries had not been understood and accusing Syrian forces of carrying out a massacre of Druze. He then issued a direct ultimatum, demanding that Syrian government forces withdraw from Sweida by 10 p.m.

Al-Sharaa reportedly expressed surprise at the tone of the conversation and said he had hoped the discussion would proceed differently. He also attempted to explain the difficulty of communicating orders to all forces within the timeframe Netanyahu had set. Netanyahu refused to extend the deadline, warning that Israel would intensify its strikes unless the forces withdrew. When al-Sharaa requested 48 hours to carry out the withdrawal, Netanyahu rejected the request and insisted that the withdrawal begin first.

According to the report, Israel struck the Syrian presidential palace in Damascus and the Syrian General Staff headquarters several hours after the conversation. Al-Sharaa subsequently withdrew government forces from the area.

The documents suggest that disagreements between Netanyahu and the security establishment continued under the current military leadership. One of the most recent disputes described in the report took place in August 2026, during discussions concerning Operation Gideon's Chariots II and renewed military operations in the Gaza Strip.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir reportedly warned that the proposed timetable could seriously endanger Israeli soldiers, arguing that the operation as planned risked sending troops into a deadly trap. Netanyahu rejected the objections, maintaining that the operation was feasible and could succeed.

Zamir also raised concerns about the international consequences, particularly the challenge of evacuating approximately one million residents while Israel was already facing diplomatic pressure and growing international opposition. The chief of staff reportedly warned that the plan could further damage Israel's international standing. Netanyahu nevertheless insisted on proceeding with the plan to enter Gaza and encircle the area.

The report states that the military operation, alongside Israel's strike in Qatar, was among the factors that later contributed to advancing a hostage deal.

The documents submitted to the State Comptroller reportedly include discussions of additional operations, including Operation Rising Lion and Operation Roaring Lion, as well as other major military and diplomatic decisions. Taken together, the transcripts portray repeated clashes between Netanyahu and senior security officials over the scale of military force, the risks to Israeli soldiers, and the weight that should be given to diplomatic considerations.

In several cases, Netanyahu pushed for broader or more immediate military action while senior officials advocated caution, questioned the strategic benefits, or proposed alternative approaches.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday rejected accusations that Tehran is pursuing nuclear weapons, insisting that his government remains willing to negotiate with the United States despite mounting tensions and the possibility of renewed American military action.

Pezeshkian made the remarks during a meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on the sidelines of a United Nations biodiversity summit in Yerevan, Armenia.

“Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons, and we consider the malicious propaganda against our country to be lies," Pezeshkian said, according to a statement issued by his office.

The Iranian president also criticized Washington's sanctions policy, accusing the United States of attempting to pressure Tehran into accepting its demands.

“We have always been ready for dialogue. They think they can force us to surrender, but we will not bow to coercion," he said, describing the American sanctions as “unjustifiable and inhumane."

During the meeting, Pezeshkian also called for stronger bilateral relations with Georgia.

His appeal came several weeks after Georgia suspended aviation connections between the two countries following US sanctions imposed on Iranian airlines.

Pezeshkian's comments come as indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran remain stalled and US President Donald Trump continues to raise the possibility of additional military strikes against Iran.

Last Thursday, Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States would refrain from launching further attacks against Iranian targets until after November 3.

However, speaking to reporters on Monday, the President indicated that his administration's decisions concerning Iran would not be dictated by the election calendar.

Trump adopted a more confrontational tone during a campaign rally in Alaska on Tuesday night, warning that additional American military action could be forthcoming.

"Oh, wait till you see what we do to Iran. We're going to do a number. Wait till you see," Trump told supporters.

"They're just waiting. They're waiting. Wait till you see what we do to Iran, because we've sort of had it. You know, we've had it," he continued.

The President also reaffirmed his determination to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, referring to the damage inflicted on Iranian nuclear facilities during previous military operations.

"But, you know, it doesn't matter. The big thing is they were not going to have a nuclear weapon, and they won't. That's buried under thousands of tons of rock," Trump declared.

(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)

US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Thursday accused Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of spreading false information about developments in the Middle East, rejecting three claims concerning the Strait of Hormuz, a sunken commercial vessel and American military casualties in Jordan.

In its response, CENTCOM challenged the IRGC's assertion that Iranian forces had established control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for international commerce.

“The United States and regional partners control the strait as commercial vessels continue to transit despite unwarranted IRGC aggression," CENTCOM stated.

The American military command also rejected Iran's account of the sinking of the M/V GFS Pride, a Singapore-flagged container ship that went down following an incident in the strait on Wednesday.

According to the IRGC, the vessel had struck a naval mine. CENTCOM disputed that explanation, saying the ship was actually struck by a projectile fired by Iranian forces.

The vessel subsequently sank while being towed toward shore, the American military said.

CENTCOM emphasized that commercial maritime traffic was continuing through the waterway, reporting that more than 40 merchant vessels had passed through the Strait of Hormuz during the preceding 24 hours.

In a third rebuttal, CENTCOM dismissed an IRGC claim that Iranian attacks had killed hundreds of American military personnel stationed in Jordan.

“Three American service members were killed in action in July as partner forces defended against Iranian attacks," CENTCOM clarified.

American forces continue enforcing a naval blockade of Iran, which resumed on July 14 and covers vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports.

On Tuesday, the commander of the IRGC Navy claimed that Iranian forces controlled the strategic waterway and threatened to sink American warships approaching the area.

CENTCOM rejected the assertion, pointing to continued maritime operations conducted by US forces and their regional partners.

"CLAIM: The navy commander for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed today that the Strait of Hormuz is under IRGC control and any approaching U.S. Navy warships would be 'sunk,'" CENTCOM wrote on social media.

"FACT: IRGC's navy commander has no navy. American forces and regional partners clearly control the Strait of Hormuz. Just yesterday U.S. forces assisted Gulf partners in shipping more than 19 million barrels of crude oil through the strait," the command added.

The Israeli defense establishment has in recent days been increasing its vigilance against Iran and its proxies in the Middle East, fearing the outbreak of a military confrontation during the most sensitive time ahead of Israel's general elections and the US mid-term elections.

At this point, there is no concrete intelligence indicating intentions by Iran or Hezbollah to attack Israel. However, the IDF is keeping a close watch on regional developments, particularly the ballistic missile and drone tests that Iran has been conducting since last week.

Israel's main worry is not a planned decision by Tehran to start a war, but rather an unintended escalation. The defense establishment fears that a limited action by Iran, the Houthis, or another proxy would draw a strong Israeli response, which would spark a larger wave of fighting.

Another scenario concerning defense officials is miscalculating the other side's intentions. In such a situation, Israel and Iran may interpret preparatory defensive measures as proof of an attack, and act out of fear that the other side is going to strike first.

The security tensions are also compounded by the political calendar. Israel’s Knesset elections are expected to take place in 12 days, while the US midterm elections will be held on November 3.

The prevailing assessment in Israel is that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump would prefer to avoid launching an offensive against Iran before the elections, due to the military and political risks involved. However, the possibility of a strike on Iran remains on the table.

Netanyahu warned in an interview with Channel 14 on Thursday: “If Iran attacks us, it will make the mistake of its life. We also have the ability to act independently, and I would not advise any of our enemies to test us. In any way."

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir also addressed the tensions during a situational assessment held at Central Command this week, warning: “In light of the large number of alerts across all arenas and the sensitivity of this period, the potential for escalation has increased."

A Hezbollah lawmaker acknowledged on Thursday that hundreds of kilograms of explosives confiscated by Lebanese security forces last week belonged to the terrorist organization, as the Lebanese government continues its efforts to disarm the group.

Lebanese security personnel discovered the explosives inside a vehicle stopped at a checkpoint in the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon. Two individuals traveling in the vehicle were arrested.

According to Reuters, the discovery initially raised concerns that the explosives could be intended for assassinations or other attacks within Lebanon, particularly after authorities declined to identify the vehicle's owner.

Speaking at the Lebanese parliament, Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah confirmed that the organization was responsible for transporting the explosives, claiming they were intended for operations against Israeli forces stationed in Lebanese territory.

A Hezbollah representative and a Lebanese security official told Reuters that the explosives were designated for use in explosive-laden drones targeting Israeli soldiers.

Fadlallah said Hezbollah had contacted Lebanese security authorities shortly after the seizure to establish ownership of the vehicle and its contents. The organization also demanded that the confiscated explosives be returned and the two arrested individuals released.

The incident comes amid growing tensions between Hezbollah and the Lebanese government over efforts to establish exclusive state control over weapons and military activities.

On March 2, Lebanese authorities outlawed Hezbollah's military operations following rocket fire directed at Israel in support of Iran. The attack brought Lebanon into the regional conflict that began after US and Israeli strikes against Iran.

Hezbollah's ability to transport weapons has faced additional restrictions since the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, which disrupted a major supply corridor. Syrian authorities have since reported intercepting weapons shipments allegedly destined for the organization.

During 2025, the Lebanese military confiscated and destroyed Hezbollah weapons stockpiles in southern Lebanon as part of the government's disarmament initiative. Those efforts were subsequently suspended following the outbreak of renewed fighting.

Under an agreement negotiated through US-mediated discussions between Israel and Lebanon earlier this year, the Lebanese government committed to disarming Hezbollah in exchange for a gradual Israeli military withdrawal.

Hezbollah, however, has rejected disarmament while Israeli forces remain in Lebanese territory. Israeli strikes against targets in southern Lebanon have also continued.

Iran must maintain its readiness for military confrontation with the United States despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Wednesday, warning that any agreement with Washington would not necessarily prevent renewed American attacks.

In a televised address, Ghalibaf said Tehran's primary objective was to ensure that the United States could not launch another military offensive against Iran. However, he argued that diplomatic commitments alone would not provide sufficient protection.

“They break their promises," Ghalibaf said, referring to the Americans.

He called on Iran to prepare for confrontation “against a bullying enemy," declaring that “we must truly fight courageously on the battlefield."

“That is when we will have achieved sustainable deterrence," he continued. “America must be punished. America must change its behavior. It must understand that it has to come to terms with the Iranian people."

His remarks come as Iran considers its next diplomatic steps toward Washington while maintaining military pressure in the region, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.

The warning followed comments Tuesday night by US President Donald Trump, who threatened additional American action against Iran during a midterm election campaign rally in Alaska.

"Oh, wait till you see what we do to Iran. We're going to do a number. Wait till you see," Trump told supporters.

The president suggested that Washington's patience with Tehran was running out and reiterated his determination to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

"They're just waiting. They're waiting. Wait till you see what we do to Iran, because we've sort of had it. You know, we've had it," Trump said.

He added, "But, you know, it doesn't matter. The big thing is they were not going to have a nuclear weapon, and they won't. That's buried under thousands of tons of rock."

A day earlier, Trump said the November congressional midterm elections would not affect his decisions regarding Iran, while predicting that the conflict would soon conclude.

“As soon as the war ends with Iran, which will be very soon, oil will drop like a rock. And it's going to end very soon," he told reporters.

Meanwhile, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Monday that Tehran was finalizing a response to the United States and would communicate its position through mediators once consultations were completed.

Speaking to Qatar-based Al Araby TV, Gharibabadi accused Washington of violating its obligations under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and demanded steps to address what Iran considers American noncompliance.

“Under circumstances in which Tehran believes the United States has not fully complied with its commitments, Iran cannot be expected to show greater flexibility," he said.

Gharibabadi also emphasized that Iran was no less prepared for military conflict than for diplomatic negotiations.

The comments followed a statement Sunday by Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, who said Washington had failed to adequately address Tehran's conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Rezaei insisted that Iran would not restore American access to the strategic waterway or resume negotiations until its demands were met.

"We presented seven conditions to the Americans and clearly stated that the Strait of Hormuz would not be opened to them, and no negotiations would take place, until these conditions are met."

He said Tehran was waiting for Washington to clarify its position rather than preparing another response, declaring that Iran was "no longer in the process of responding to the Americans".

"In their response, they have accepted some of our conditions, while others remain unclear," Rezaei added.

US President Donald Trump predicted Wednesday that the war with Iran would end soon, warning that Tehran would use nuclear weapons against the Middle East and Western countries if it possessed them.

Speaking at a campaign rally in Arizona ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, Trump also claimed that repeated American military operations had severely weakened Iran's leadership.

"Their first level leaders are gone, they picked a second level. Their second level leaders are gone, they picked a third level. Half of them are gone. They made me promise not to take out any more and I did. I promised them. But nobody wants to be the president of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Trump asserted.

Turning to the conflict's future, the president declared, "That's going to end very soon."

He also warned that Iran would pose an immediate threat to countries across the region and beyond if it acquired nuclear weapons.

"if [Iran] had a nuclear weapon, within 24 hours they would use it. They'll knock out the Middle East, then they'll start hitting us on the West Coast. They'll hit Europe - because they're crazy. They're crazy people," Trump said.

The president again said the American military campaign was a necessary measure to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, explaining that the United States had acted "because you don’t want them to have a weapon that can blow up millions of people in one shot."

Trump's latest remarks come amid speculation that Washington could resume strikes against Iranian targets before the congressional elections, despite his earlier announcement of a temporary pause in military action.

Last Thursday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the United States would not carry out additional strikes against Iran until after November 3.

However, he told reporters Monday that the election timetable would not determine his administration's policy toward Tehran.

During another campaign rally in Alaska on Tuesday night, Trump adopted a more threatening tone, suggesting that further American action against Iran could be imminent.

"Oh, wait till you see what we do to Iran. We're going to do a number. Wait till you see," he told supporters.

"They're just waiting. They're waiting. Wait till you see what we do to Iran, because we've sort of had it. You know, we've had it," Trump continued.

He also reiterated his position that Iran would not be permitted to develop a nuclear weapon, declaring, "But, you know, it doesn't matter. The big thing is they were not going to have a nuclear weapon, and they won't. That's buried under thousands of tons of rock."

Earlier Tuesday, Trump indicated that a decision on Washington's next steps was approaching “very soon", while describing Iran as a “failed country".

Speaking outside the White House, he cited what he characterized as the Islamic Republic's severe economic difficulties, including soaring inflation and an inability to pay government personnel.

"They have no economy. They have 300% inflation. They have no money. They're not paying their troops. They're not paying anybody. We'll make a decision on Iran very soon," Trump said.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Wednesday that American forces had destroyed an Iranian-linked vessel in the Gulf of Oman after determining that it was conducting surveillance and targeting US Navy warships.

According to CENTCOM, the operation took place on October 6, and the vessel's crew was evacuated before it was destroyed.

"On Oct. 6, US forces destroyed an Iranian-affiliated dhow conducting surveillance and targeting US Navy ships in the Gulf of Oman," the military command said in a statement.

CENTCOM also accused Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of repeatedly threatening military and civilian vessels operating in regional waters.

"Over the past seven months, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has continued to indiscriminately target thousands of civilian mariners transiting regional waters in addition to US Navy warships. Crew members were safely removed prior to destruction of the dhow. Repatriation efforts are ongoing."

The announcement comes as American forces continue enforcing a naval blockade of Iran, which resumed on July 14 and covers vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports.

On Saturday, CENTCOM reported that US forces had disabled a commercial cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman after its crew allegedly ignored repeated warnings and attempted to violate the blockade.

The Panama-flagged M/V Ocean Molica, also known as the “Arika Sun", had departed an Iranian port before being intercepted in regional waters.

According to the military, an American fighter jet struck the ship's stern with a precision-guided munition, disabling its propulsion system. No crew members were injured.

On Tuesday, the commander of the IRGC Navy claimed that Iranian forces controlled the strategic waterway and threatened to sink American warships approaching the area.

CENTCOM rejected the assertion, pointing to continued maritime operations conducted by US forces and their regional partners.

"CLAIM: The navy commander for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed today that the Strait of Hormuz is under IRGC control and any approaching U.S. Navy warships would be 'sunk,'" CENTCOM wrote on social media.

"FACT: IRGC's navy commander has no navy. American forces and regional partners clearly control the Strait of Hormuz. Just yesterday U.S. forces assisted Gulf partners in shipping more than 19 million barrels of crude oil through the strait," the command added.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Tuesday dismissed claims by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) that it controls the Strait of Hormuz, announcing that American forces had helped Persian Gulf partners transport more than 19 million barrels of crude oil through the strategic waterway the previous day.

The statement followed threats from the commander of the IRGC Navy, who asserted that Iranian forces controlled the strait and warned that approaching American warships would be sunk.

CENTCOM responded in a social media post challenging the Iranian commander's assertions.

"CLAIM: The navy commander for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed today that the Strait of Hormuz is under IRGC control and any approaching U.S. Navy warships would be 'sunk,'" CENTCOM wrote.

"FACT: IRGC's navy commander has no navy. American forces and regional partners clearly control the Strait of Hormuz. Just yesterday U.S. forces assisted Gulf partners in shipping more than 19 million barrels of crude oil through the strait," the command added.

The exchange comes as the US military continues enforcing its naval blockade against Iran, which was resumed on July 14 and applies to vessels entering or departing Iranian ports.

On Saturday, CENTCOM announced that American forces had disabled a commercial cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman after its crew allegedly disregarded repeated warnings and attempted to breach the blockade.

According to the military, a US fighter jet fired a precision-guided munition at the stern of the Panama-flagged M/V Ocean Molica, also known as the “Arika Sun", disabling its propulsion system without injuring anyone aboard.

The large commercial vessel had previously departed an Iranian port and was attempting to navigate regional waters when it was intercepted.

CENTCOM reported that American forces have disabled four commercial vessels and turned back 135 ships during three months of blockade enforcement.

The command also said US forces had destroyed 10 tankers associated with the IRGC's multibillion-dollar shadow shipping network during the same period.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday night issued a warning to Iran, threatening the US would "do a number" on the Islamic Republic and hinting Washington has had it with Tehran's tactics.

Speaking at a midterm election rally in Alaska, Trump said, "Oh, wait till you see what we do to Iran. We're going to do a number. Wait till you see."

"They're just waiting. They're waiting. Wait till you see what we do to Iran, because we've sort of had it. You know, we've had it," continued Trump. But, you know, it doesn't matter. The big thing is they were not going to have a nuclear weapon, and they won't. That's buried under thousands of tons of rock."

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump stated that he would decide on the next steps regarding Iran “very soon", describing the Islamic Republic as a “failed country" amid growing speculation that Washington could resume military strikes before the November 3 midterm elections.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump pointed to Iran's deteriorating economic situation and claimed that the government was struggling to meet its financial obligations.

"They have no economy. They have 300% inflation. They have no money. They're not paying their troops. They're not paying anybody. We'll make a decision on Iran very soon," the president said.

The remarks followed Trump's statement Monday that the upcoming congressional elections would not influence his decisions regarding Iran.

“As soon as the war ends with Iran, which will be very soon, oil will drop like a rock. And it's going to end very soon," Trump told reporters.

His latest comments have renewed questions about whether the United States could launch additional strikes against Iranian targets before Americans head to the polls.

Several days earlier, however, Trump had announced that Washington would refrain from further military action against Iran until after the November 3 elections.

At the time, he indicated that diplomatic contacts with Tehran were continuing.

“We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran," Trump wrote on Truth Social last Thursday.

The president also portrayed Iran as facing significant economic and military challenges, while making clear that his administration intended to maintain pressure on Tehran.

During a White House event the following day, Trump expressed confidence that the conflict would end soon, indicating that Washington was prepared to pursue either a negotiated settlement or a military solution.

“We can do it either way, but it’s very simple - one way or another it’s gonna be over soon," he declared.

Iran is preparing a formal response to the United States that will be delivered through mediators once internal consultations have concluded, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Monday.

Speaking to Qatar-based Al Araby TV, Gharibabadi accused Washington of failing to fulfill its obligations under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and said Tehran expected steps to address what it considers American violations of the agreement.

“Under circumstances in which Tehran believes the United States has not fully complied with its commitments, Iran cannot be expected to show greater flexibility," he said.

The Iranian official also warned that Tehran was as prepared to defend itself and engage in military conflict as it was to pursue diplomatic negotiations.

His remarks followed comments Sunday by Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, who criticized Washington's response to an Iranian proposal aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

During the United Nations General Assembly, Tehran presented a plan offering to restore normal maritime traffic through the strategic waterway within seven days, provided the United States agreed to seven conditions.

Washington subsequently communicated its position through Qatari intermediaries, but Iranian officials have maintained that the response failed to adequately address several of their demands.

Rezaei insisted that Iran would not reopen the strait to the United States or resume negotiations until its conditions were satisfied.

"We presented seven conditions to the Americans and clearly stated that the Strait of Hormuz would not be opened to them, and no negotiations would take place, until these conditions are met."

He further indicated that Tehran was awaiting clarification from Washington rather than drafting another reply, saying Iran was "no longer in the process of responding to the Americans".

"In their response, they have accepted some of our conditions, while others remain unclear," Rezaei added.

The statements reflect differing descriptions by senior Iranian officials of the next stage of diplomatic exchanges, with Gharibabadi indicating that a response is being finalized and Rezaei emphasizing that Washington must first clarify its position.

In late September, Iran announced that it had received an American response to an earlier proposal to restore the Gulf ceasefire, which had subsequently collapsed.

The announcement followed President Donald Trump's statement several days earlier that he had rejected Tehran's proposal.

Qatar and other regional mediators have continued facilitating indirect communications between Washington and Tehran in an effort to bring the conflict to an end and restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

No agreement has been reached despite the continuing diplomatic efforts.

Meanwhile, Trump is considering whether to resume military operations against Iran while leaving open the possibility of a negotiated settlement.

On Thursday, the president announced that the United States would not carry out additional strikes against Iran before the November 3 midterm congressional elections.

“We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump also described Tehran as facing severe economic and military difficulties, while emphasizing that Washington would continue exerting pressure on the Iranian government.

Speaking at a White House event Friday, the president predicted that the war would end soon, suggesting that the United States was prepared to achieve that outcome through either diplomacy or military force.

He added, “We can do it either way, but it’s very simple - one way or another it’s gonna be over soon."

US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the US midterm elections would have no impact on his Iran policy.

“As soon as the war ends with Iran, which will be very soon, oil will drop like a rock. And it's going to end very soon," Trump told reporters before departing for Ohio, where he was scheduled to hold a rally.

He also commented on the increased tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Iranian-backed, Yemen-based Houthi rebels.

Asked what he plans to do about the Houthis, who have been launching missiles towards airports in Saudi Arabia in recent days, including one attack in which an American citizen was killed, Trump replied, “Well, the Houthis are misbehaving very badly. No good."

Trump has been considering whether to resume military operations against Iran while leaving open the possibility of a negotiated settlement.

Last Thursday, the president announced that the United States would not carry out additional strikes against Iran before the November 3 midterm congressional elections.

“We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump also described Tehran as facing severe economic and military difficulties, while emphasizing that Washington would continue exerting pressure on the Iranian government.

Speaking at a White House event the next day, the president predicted that the war would end soon, suggesting that the United States was prepared to achieve that outcome through either diplomacy or military force.

“We can do it either way, but it’s very simple - one way or another it’s gonna be over soon," he declared.

Meanwhile, The New York Times reported that American military planners had prepared options for strikes against Iranian missile installations, drone facilities, energy infrastructure and other military targets.

According to people familiar with the discussions, the proposals envision an intensive military campaign lasting approximately three days.

IDF troops operating in the Security Zone in southern Lebanon, dismantled underground terror tunnel routes extending hundreds of meters.

Inside the tunnels, the troops found hideouts and weapons, including Kalashnikov rifles, a machine gun, and anti-tank missiles.

At the same time, the troops located and dismantled dozens of terrorist infrastructure sites and weapons in the area.

Iran has described Washington's response to its proposal for reopening the Strait of Hormuz as insufficient, saying the United States has failed to adequately address several of Tehran's seven conditions for restoring maritime traffic through the strategic waterway.

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, made the remarks Sunday, according to Iranian state media, as indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran continued through regional intermediaries.

Iran submitted its proposal during the United Nations General Assembly, offering to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore normal shipping within seven days if Washington accepted seven conditions.

The United States subsequently delivered its response through Qatari mediators.

Rezaei said the American position remained inadequate and demanded further clarification regarding conditions that Washington had not fully addressed.

"We presented seven conditions to the Americans and clearly stated that the Strait of Hormuz would not be opened to them, and no negotiations would take place, until these conditions are met."

He also indicated that Tehran was waiting for Washington to clarify its position rather than preparing another response.

Iran is "no longer in the process of responding to the Americans", Rezaei said.

"In their response, they have accepted some of our conditions, while others remain unclear," he added.

The White House did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The latest remarks follow an announcement by Tehran in late September that it had received an American response to its proposal to revive the collapsed Gulf ceasefire.

That announcement came several days after President Donald Trump said he had rejected Iran's proposal.

Qatar and other regional intermediaries have continued exchanging messages between the two countries in an effort to secure an agreement ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite the continuing diplomatic contacts, the two sides have yet to reach an agreement.

Meanwhile, Trump is considering whether to resume military operations against Iran while leaving open the possibility of a negotiated settlement.

On Thursday, the president announced that the United States would not carry out additional strikes against Iran before the November 3 midterm congressional elections.

“We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump also described Tehran as facing severe economic and military difficulties, while emphasizing that Washington would continue exerting pressure on the Iranian government.

Speaking at a White House event Friday, the president predicted that the war would end soon, suggesting that the United States was prepared to achieve that outcome through either diplomacy or military force.

He added, “We can do it either way, but it’s very simple - one way or another it’s gonna be over soon."

Despite Trump's commitment not to launch additional attacks before the elections, the Pentagon has reportedly developed plans for a renewed large-scale offensive against Iran.

The New York Times reported Thursday that American military planners had prepared options for strikes against Iranian missile installations, drone facilities, energy infrastructure and other military targets.

According to people familiar with the discussions, the proposals envision an intensive military campaign lasting approximately three days.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Saturday that its forces disabled a commercial cargo vessel in the Gulf of Oman, after the ship’s crew ignored repeated warnings and attempted to run the ongoing naval blockade against Iran.

According to CENTCOM, a US military fighter jet struck the stern of Panama-flagged M/V Ocean Molica (also known as the “Arika Sun") with a precision munition, fully disabling the ship’s propulsion without harming the crew. The large cargo vessel was attempting to transit regional waters after having previously departed an Iranian port.

CENTCOM forces resumed America’s blockade against all ships entering or departing Iranian ports on July 14. The statement noted that four commercial vessels have been disabled and 135 ships have been turned around during three months of strict enforcement. Additionally, US forces have destroyed 10 tankers linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' multibillion-dollar shadow network over the same period.

“All mariners are advised to heed blockade warnings from CENTCOM forces. Crews should also continue to monitor Notice to Mariners broadcasts and contact US naval forces on bridge-to-bridge channel 16 when operating in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz approaches," said CENTCOM.

US President Donald Trump paid tribute Saturday to the 18 American servicemembers killed during the war with Iran, telling supporters at an election rally in Tennessee that their sacrifice had helped prevent the Islamic Republic from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Speaking ahead of November's midterm congressional elections, Trump described meeting the families of fallen servicemembers as one of the most difficult responsibilities of his presidency.

"We lost 18 great people [in the Iran war]. I got to know their families. I met most of them, the families. And always the hardest thing that I have to do is go and meet the families of heroes. I call them heroes. But we lost 18. We have wounded, but we've stopped them from having a nuclear weapon," Trump said.

The President argued that the military campaign had prevented a far more dangerous situation by denying Iran the ability to develop nuclear weapons.

"You want to see wounded? You want to see people wounded and killed? Let these lunatics have a nuclear weapon. You'll see, you'll see what would happen. What we did, we achieved something that was incredible."

Trump acknowledged the American casualties while maintaining that the operation had achieved a lasting strategic objective.

"Now, 18 is too many. I don't want to lose any. But we have stopped them from having a nuclear weapon, I believe, for all time. And we lost 18. Those young people did not die in vain. That was a big thing, because you can't let lunatics have nuclear weapons. You just can't let a total lunatic or a group of lunatics have nuclear weapons," Trump stated.

The President also suggested that Iran could attempt further actions before the midterm elections, while warning that Washington retained the ability to bring the conflict to a rapid conclusion.

He predicted that Iran will "probably do a little bit extra before the election thinking it's going to hurt us, but we could end it really quick. They don't know how nice I’ve been to them."

Trump's remarks came as his administration continued weighing whether to resume military operations against Iran while pursuing a diplomatic agreement.

On Thursday, the President announced that the United States would not launch additional strikes against Iran before the November 3 midterm elections.

“We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He also described Iran as facing significant economic and military difficulties, while emphasizing that Washington would maintain pressure on Tehran.

During a White House event Friday, Trump expressed confidence that the conflict would end soon, either through negotiations or further military action. He also predicted that gasoline prices would fall.

“We stopped Iran from having a nuclear weapon - and the [gas] prices will come tumbling [down] and it’s gonna be over soon, one way or the other," Trump stated.

He added, “We can do it either way, but it’s very simple - one way or another it’s gonna be over soon."

Despite Trump's pledge to refrain from additional strikes before the elections, the Pentagon has reportedly prepared plans for another major offensive against Iran.

The New York Times reported Thursday that American military planners had developed options for attacks on Iranian missile installations, drone facilities, energy infrastructure and other military targets.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, the proposals include a concentrated military campaign lasting approximately three days.

Meanwhile, indirect negotiations between Washington and Tehran are continuing, although disagreements over Iran's uranium enrichment activities remain a major obstacle.

Vice President JD Vance told Reuters earlier this week that the United States would require meaningful restrictions on Iran's nuclear program before agreeing to end the war.

Vance said Tehran must demonstrate through concrete actions, rather than assurances, that it has abandoned any intention of developing nuclear weapons.

"If you don't want a nuclear weapon, then why do you need 60% enriched fuel? And if you want to show commitment to not building a nuclear ⁠weapon, don't build highly enriched fuel. That's a very basic threshold issue," Vance said.

"I think if they want to show a commitment to not building a nuclear weapon, they would do something meaningful on their enrichment capacity."

The vice president emphasized that the administration would insist on verifiable measures to reduce Iran's enrichment capabilities.

"We're not going to trade words for actions," Vance told Reuters.

Iranian officials, however, have continued rejecting American demands to curtail uranium enrichment, leaving the diplomatic effort unresolved as Trump considers his administration's next steps.

The US asked Israel to carry out a strike against Iran before the American midterms, journalist Ben Caspit reported Saturday.

In a post on social media, Caspit revealed, "In talks between Israel and the United States regarding Iran over the past two weeks, I have learned that the Americans actually demanded that Israel carry out a strike against Iran. They were not referring to an American strike, nor to a joint operation, but specifically to an Israeli strike."

"IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir made it clear to the Americans (according to a report by Barak Ravid) that such a strike would most likely lead to the postponement of the elections in Israel.

"As of now, the Americans have backed down from this demand," he added.

Caspit explained, "The American demand came in response to developments in Iran, some of which were reported today in the foreign media, concerning Iran's rapid restoration of its drone and ballistic missile production capabilities."

"However, the Americans wanted Israel, rather than Trump, to bear the political risk ahead of the midterm elections. They believed that Israel would actually want to launch a strike before its own elections, whereas in the United States, a pre-election strike could politically harm the president. Until now, reports have focused on Trump 'considering' resuming strikes against Iran. There have also been fresh reports on the matter.

"However, it is now clear that, at least according to the original plan, Trump essentially instructed Israel to strike Iran before the elections. For now, that initiative has been halted."

Caspit also admitted that, "Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu's position is not entirely clear to me. Over the past week, his schedule has been described as 'highly security-focused,' and he has held several 'sensitive' discussions and visits."

US President Donald Trump reiterated Friday that the war with Iran would soon come to an end, suggesting that Washington was prepared to achieve that outcome either through negotiations or military action.

Speaking at an event at the White House, Trump expressed confidence that the conflict was approaching its conclusion and predicted that gasoline prices would decline.

“We stopped Iran from having a nuclear weapon - and the [gas] prices will come tumbling [down] and it’s gonna be over soon, one way or the other," Trump stated.

He emphasized that the United States had more than one option for bringing the conflict to an end.

“We can do it either way, but it’s very simple - one way or another it’s gonna be over soon."

The president also portrayed Iran's military capabilities as having been severely weakened.

“They have no military, they have no Navy, they have no air force, they have no anti-aircraft things," Trump suggested.

His remarks followed reports that the Pentagon has prepared plans for another major military operation against Iran, even as diplomatic efforts continue.

According to a report published Thursday by The New York Times, American military planners have developed options for a renewed offensive targeting Iranian missile and drone facilities, energy infrastructure and other military installations.

Sources familiar with the proposals said the plans center on an intensive military campaign lasting approximately three days.

Despite the preparations, Trump announced Thursday that the United States would not carry out additional strikes against Iran before the November 3 midterm elections.

“We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump said the Iranian government was confronting substantial economic and military difficulties but made clear that Washington would continue exerting pressure on Tehran.

He also stated that the American blockade of Iran would remain in place, while oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz was continuing at exceptionally high levels.

The diplomatic negotiations remain complicated by disagreements over Iran's nuclear program.

Earlier this week, Vice President JD Vance told Reuters that Tehran would have to take meaningful steps to reduce its uranium enrichment capabilities before Washington would agree to end the war.

Vance stressed that the Trump administration was seeking concrete restrictions on Iran's nuclear activities rather than promises about its future intentions.

"If you don't want a nuclear weapon, then why do you need 60% enriched fuel? And if you want to show commitment to not building a nuclear ⁠weapon, don't build highly enriched fuel. That's a very basic threshold issue," Vance said.

"I think if they want to show a commitment to not building a nuclear weapon, they would do something meaningful on their enrichment capacity."

The vice president underscored that Washington would not accept verbal commitments as a substitute for substantive action.

"We're not going to trade words for actions," Vance told Reuters.

Nevertheless, he indicated that the administration remained willing to negotiate an agreement if Iran made significant concessions regarding its nuclear program.

Iranian officials, however, have continued to reject American demands concerning uranium enrichment.

Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, subsequently declared that Tehran would neither abandon uranium enrichment nor surrender its uranium stockpiles.

He also dismissed renewed American warnings about potential attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities as “nothing new".

(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)

The IDF on Friday conducted a precise aerial strike targeting terrorist Yusuf Ali Al-Hassoun, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit stated.

Al-Hassoun operated under the direction of the Iranian regime and advanced terrorist attacks targeting Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers operating in southern Syria, according to the IDF statement.

Over the past year, the IDF said, Al-Hassoun planned and advanced attacks against IDF soldiers that were thwarted, including the launching of explosive drones and rockets toward IDF soldiers in southern Syria.

“The IDF will continue to operate to eliminate immediate threats on all fronts. The IDF remains committed to the agreement between Israel and Lebanon," the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit statement concluded.

(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)

The IDF on Friday conducted a precise aerial strike targeting the terrorist Yusuf Ali Al-Hassoun, said the IDF Spokesperson's Unit.

It added that Al-Hassoun operated under the direction of the Iranian regime and advanced terrorist attacks targeting Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers operating in southern Syria.

Over the past year, said the IDF, Al-Hassoun planned and advanced attacks against IDF soldiers that were thwarted, including the launching of explosive drones and rockets toward IDF soldiers in southern Syria.

(Arutz Sheva-Israel National News' North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Israel National News articles, however, is Israeli time.)

The United States announced a new round of sanctions against Iran on Thursday, targeting 17 vessels, individuals and networks involved in transporting Iranian crude oil, petroleum products and petrochemicals as Washington intensifies its campaign to deprive Tehran of revenue.

The measures are part of the Treasury Department's “Operation Economic Outcast," an initiative designed to restrict the Iranian government's ability to finance its war against the United States, missile development, cyberattacks and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

A senior Treasury official described the sanctions as a major step toward dismantling Iran's remaining network of vessels used to circumvent international restrictions on its oil exports.

"Today's action represents the most significant blow ​yet to Iran's remaining illicit maritime infrastructure by neutralizing the vast majority of the shadow ​fleet," the official told reporters during a conference call, as quoted by Reuters.

"Treasury is cutting off the regime's last major source of illicit revenue and strengthening international pressure to hold Tehran accountable."

The latest restrictions follow the reinstatement of the American naval blockade of Iranian ports on July 14, after a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending the war collapsed.

According to a Treasury official, Iran now has approximately 20 million barrels of crude oil aboard vessels positioned beyond the blockade, near Singapore, Malaysia and China.

For comparison, global oil consumption stands at approximately 100 million barrels per day.

Another Treasury official said the combination of American sanctions and the naval blockade has brought Iranian crude oil loading and unloading operations to a halt.

Among the 17 vessels designated in the latest sanctions are the Paritosh, registered in Comoros; the Bitu, sailing under the Panamanian flag; and the Bahamas-flagged Gas Lucky.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that Washington would continue pursuing individuals and organizations involved in facilitating Iranian oil exports.

“Treasury is starving the tyrannical regime in Tehran of the money it uses to wage war in the region, and we will continue exposing those who enable the regime’s oil sales," Bessent wrote on social media.

“No enabler of Iranian sanctions evasion is safe from the full force of Treasury’s authorities," he added.

Bessent formally unveiled “Operation Economic Outcast" in August as a broad effort to isolate Iran economically and increase pressure on its leadership.

The campaign operates alongside the US Navy blockade reinstated by President Donald Trump in July and focuses on restricting Tehran's access to international oil markets and financial resources.

The Treasury Secretary has repeatedly stated that the administration intends to intensify economic restrictions until Iran agrees to a peace settlement with Trump.

He has also warned that Washington will pursue assets connected to the IRGC as part of its effort to undermine the Iranian government's financial capabilities.

In September, Bessent outlined the administration's approach in particularly forceful terms.

“We are going to economically asphyxiate this regime," he said, adding, “My job is to make sure that they want to have a deal, and they will want to have one."

Iran has no intention of ending its uranium enrichment activities or surrendering its uranium stockpiles, Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, declared Thursday, according to Iranian state media.

Eslami's remarks came in response to renewed American demands that Tehran significantly reduce its nuclear enrichment capabilities as a condition for reaching an agreement to end the ongoing war.

Rejecting Washington's latest warnings about possible attacks on Iranian nuclear installations as “nothing new," Eslami insisted that uranium enrichment remains “an inseparable part" of the nuclear process.

His comments underscore the continuing disagreements between Washington and Tehran over Iran's nuclear program, which have prevented several rounds of indirect negotiations from producing a breakthrough.

The talks are intended to bring an end to the conflict between the two countries and secure the reopening of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier this week, US Vice President JD Vance told Reuters that Iran must demonstrate a genuine willingness to scale back its nuclear activities before the United States would agree to end the war.

Vance emphasized that Washington would not accept assurances about future Iranian conduct without concrete measures to reduce the country's enrichment capacity.

"If you don't want a nuclear weapon, then why do you need 60% enriched fuel? And if you want to show commitment to not building a nuclear ⁠weapon, don't build highly enriched fuel. That's a very basic threshold issue," Vance said.

"I think if they want to show a commitment to not building a nuclear weapon, they would do something meaningful on their enrichment capacity."

The vice president stressed that the Trump administration was seeking verifiable changes rather than additional Iranian promises.

"We're not going to trade words for actions," Vance told Reuters.

Nevertheless, he indicated that Washington remained open to a negotiated settlement if Tehran agreed to substantive concessions concerning its nuclear program.

The dispute comes amid conflicting signals from the White House regarding the possibility of renewed military action against Iran.

Last week, President Donald Trump described Iran as “ready to fold up" and suggested that an American victory in the war could come shortly after the November midterm elections, or potentially even sooner.

On Thursday, however, Trump announced that the United States would refrain from launching attacks against Iran before the November 3 elections.

“We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump also said Iran was experiencing significant economic and military difficulties, while making clear that American pressure on Tehran would continue.

The president added that the US blockade of Iran would remain fully in place, even as oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz continued at exceptionally high levels.

The Pentagon has drawn up plans for a renewed large-scale military offensive against Iran, including potential strikes on missile installations, drone facilities and energy infrastructure, The New York Times reported Thursday, citing US officials.

The preparations come as the American military moves toward deploying three aircraft carriers to the Middle East, marking one of its largest concentrations of naval forces in the region in years.

According to the report, President Donald Trump has instructed military planners to develop additional options for attacking Iran, despite repeatedly declining to authorize major operations in recent months.

Trump's national security advisers and Pentagon officials have presented him with five proposals for significant military action against Iran or the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen. The president rejected each of them.

Nevertheless, preparations for another possible offensive are underway. Senior national security officials, led by Vice President JD Vance, discussed the latest proposals during a meeting at Camp David last Friday.

The plans envision a concentrated military campaign lasting approximately three days, according to people familiar with the discussions.

Potential targets include Iran's missile and drone stockpiles, much of which the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has rebuilt since the beginning of the war. Iranian energy installations, Revolutionary Guard command centers and military headquarters could also be targeted.

Axios previously reported details of the latest military planning.

The preparations are proceeding alongside diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. US officials have endorsed Trump's assessment that negotiations conducted through intermediaries have produced some progress, although fundamental disagreements remain over Iran's nuclear program.

Washington wants an agreement addressing Tehran's nuclear ambitions before resolving other disputes. Iranian negotiators, however, have insisted that nuclear discussions should take place only at the final stage of negotiations.

American officials have also expressed concern that Iran has become a more formidable military opponent as the conflict has continued.

According to the report, improvements in Iranian tactics have forced US forces to expend more interceptors against incoming missiles than earlier in the war, placing additional pressure on American ammunition reserves.

Intelligence assessments also indicate that Iran has improved its ability to target US military bases using satellite imagery supplied by Chinese companies.

Iranian attacks on commercial shipping have continued despite the absence of a major American military response.

Since the last significant exchange of retaliatory strikes in September, Iran has attacked at least 13 vessels, according to a monitoring organization operated by the British Navy. US intelligence assessments place the figure closer to 20, according to people briefed on the findings.

The New York Times report was published hours after Trump announced that the United States would not launch attacks against Iran before the November 3 midterm elections.

“We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The president said Tehran was facing serious economic and military difficulties but emphasized that Washington would maintain pressure on the Iranian government.

He added that the US blockade of Iran would remain fully in effect, while oil tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz continued at exceptionally high levels.

Despite Trump's announcement, American military commanders remain prepared to begin a larger offensive within days should the president reverse his decision, according to The New York Times.

The report emphasized that the military preparations do not necessarily mean Trump will authorize another offensive, even after the elections.

Senior American officials remain concerned that renewed fighting could further strain US defensive weapons stockpiles, potentially weakening the military's ability to protect its bases in the Middle East and intercept additional Iranian attacks.

Former National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, currently head of the Misgav Institute for National Security, spoke with Arutz Sheva - Israel National News about the investigation into the attempted terrorist attack aboard a Flydubai flight to Israel.

During the interview, Ben-Shabbat warned Arutz Sheva that the incident presents significant challenges for aviation security worldwide.

"My impression is that the investigation so far is being conducted cooperatively," he said. "The United Arab Emirates also has an interest in fully investigating the incident, understanding who was behind the attempt and how it happened. Otherwise, it will be difficult for them as well to close the security gaps that made it possible."

Drawing comparisons to the September 11 attacks, Ben-Shabbat warned that the threat to aviation security could come from within the aircraft's own crew, rather than from passengers.

"It is much harder to deal with an enemy from within, someone who is already part of the system: a pilot, a maintenance technician, or any other employee who has legitimate access to an aircraft," he explained.

Recalling the 2015 bombing of a Russian Metrojet aircraft over Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, which killed all 224 people on board, he noted that Investigators suspected that the explosive device had been planted with the assistance of someone working at the airport.

Ben-Shabbat also emphasized that identifying potential attackers has become increasingly complicated, particularly when dealing with individuals who undergo radicalization independently.

To address the threat, he recommended greater intelligence sharing between countries, improved screening and reliability checks for aviation personnel, increased intelligence efforts, and stronger oversight mechanisms.

"None of this guarantees a foolproof solution, but these measures can reduce the risks," he said, stressing that the recommendations must be implemented immediately to prevent possible copycat attacks.

Regarding the Iranian threat, Ben-Shabbat warned that Tehran could seek to exploit the upcoming election periods in Israel and the United States.

"The difficult situation Iran finds itself in could certainly push it to exploit what it perceives as opportunities, whether by acting directly or by encouraging its proxies to act," he explained.

Asked whether Israel should exercise restraint in its operations against Hezbollah and Hamas during the election campaign, Ben-Shabbat insisted, "Security operations must continue during the election period without being affected in any way. The State of Israel does not have the luxury of stopping or even slowing down until the elections are completed and a government is formed, and who knows how long that will take?"

Ben-Shabbat also addressed growing concerns over potential kidnapping attacks by Hamas or other Gaza-based terrorist organizations, explaining that the terrorist group is increasingly desperate as Israeli military pressure continues.

"Hamas is in distress. Israel's counterterrorism apparatus is operating relentlessly. Every day, the sword hangs over the heads of its senior officials and operatives. Under these conditions, the organization is struggling to stabilize itself," he said.

According to Ben-Shabbat, Hamas has been unable to generate sufficient international pressure to restrain Israeli operations and is therefore turning to a tactic it believes has proven effective in the past.

"Under these circumstances, Hamas is returning to an option that, from its perspective, has proven successful: kidnapping attacks."

He urged Israel to prevent such attacks through both heightened security measures and continued offensive operations throughout Gaza.

"The counterterrorism apparatus must operate relentlessly, everywhere in the Gaza Strip, at every level, and at all times," he urged. "Only in this way can Hamas operatives be forced to flee from place to place, remain in hiding, and devote all their energy to survival."

The Pentagon instructed US Central Command (CENTCOM) several days ago to complete preparations for the possibility of resuming large-scale military operations against Iran, Channel 12 News reported, citing senior American officials

The report emphasized that the instructions did not specify a date for launching an attack, and US President Donald Trump has not yet decided whether to resume the fighting.

According to the report, officials in the United States and Israel believe the attack could take place before the US midterm elections, and possibly even before Israel's elections, which are scheduled to be held a week earlier.

If hostilities resume, they are expected to include extensive strikes against energy facilities, infrastructure, and nuclear sites in Iran.

A senior Pentagon official told Channel 12 News: "The role of the Department of Defense is to develop and present military options to the president."

The White House has directed the Pentagon to prepare options for possible new military strikes against Iran that could be carried out before the November midterm elections, The Atlantic reported Wednesday, citing two administration officials.

According to the report, the request comes as President Donald Trump seeks to demonstrate progress in the conflict with Iran and bring down gas prices ahead of the vote.

No final decision has been made on whether to launch an operation, and administration officials are still discussing the potential scope and targets. US Central Command, which is overseeing the American war effort, has been tasked with developing the military options, a US official told The Atlantic.

Supporters of the proposal acknowledge that limited strikes alone would be unlikely to force Iran back to negotiations, reopen the Strait of Hormuz to safe passage or produce lower gasoline prices before Election Day. However, proponents reportedly believe renewed military action following months of uneasy peace could allow Trump to project strength and potentially claim a victory before voters head to the polls, providing Republicans with momentum ahead of the elections.

“It would make the president look like he got a win and that gas prices would start going down," a Republican familiar with the deliberations told The Atlantic.

According to the report, a limited operation before the midterms could be followed by a larger military campaign afterward. Trump has repeatedly raised the possibility that the conflict, now in its eighth month, could intensify following the elections.

Addressing the United Nations last month, Trump threatened to “annihilate the Islamic Republic" unless Tehran agreed to a deal. He again raised the possibility of post-election military action in an interview with Time magazine published earlier this month, saying “we’ve been stocking up for the last six months."

Last week, Trump predicted that the United States would win the war “right after the election," while leaving open the possibility of an earlier outcome, adding, “Maybe before the election."

The report comes as the Trump administration continues to demand concrete concessions from Iran over its nuclear program. Vice President JD Vance told Reuters this week that Tehran would have to meaningfully reduce its nuclear enrichment capabilities before Washington would agree to end the war.

Vance said the administration would not accept promises of future reductions as a substitute for an actual decrease in Iran's enrichment capacity.

"If you don't want a nuclear weapon, then why do you need 60% enriched fuel? And if you want to show commitment to not building a nuclear ⁠weapon, don't build highly enriched fuel. That's a very basic threshold issue," Vance said.

"I think if they want to show a commitment to not building a nuclear weapon, they would do something meaningful on their enrichment capacity."

Washington and Tehran have exchanged proposals in recent weeks aimed at ending the fighting and restoring shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global energy supplies.

Trump rejected Iran's latest proposal, although Tehran subsequently maintained that it had received a response from Washington.

US Vice President JD Vance told the Reuters news agency that Iran would have to take concrete steps to reduce its nuclear enrichment capabilities before Washington would agree to end the seven-month war between the two countries.

In an exclusive interview with Reuters following a campaign trip to Alaska on Monday, Vance said the United States was seeking an actual reduction in Iran’s enrichment capacity rather than promises that Tehran would limit its nuclear program in the future.

"If you don't want a nuclear weapon, then why do you need 60% enriched fuel? And if you want to show commitment to not building a nuclear ⁠weapon, don't build highly enriched fuel. That's a very basic threshold issue," Vance said.

"I think if they want to show a commitment to not building a nuclear weapon, they would do something meaningful on their enrichment capacity."

The United States and Iran have exchanged proposals in recent weeks seeking to end the fighting and restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies. President Donald Trump rejected Tehran's most recent proposal, even though Tehran later insisted it had received a response from Washington.

"We're not going to trade words for actions," Vance told Reuters, while emphasizing that Washington remained willing to reach an agreement if Iran makes substantive nuclear concessions.

Vance also said the United States faces uncertainty over how decisions are made within Iran's leadership. He said Washington has been negotiating with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, but questioned how much influence they have over the country's broader power structure following US-Israeli strikes at the beginning of the war that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

"One of the things we picked up on is it's not totally clear how their country makes decisions," Vance said.

The vice president said he has spoken directly with field commanders to assess conditions on the battlefield. He rejected concerns about critical US munitions shortages and said Iranian forces, while periodically capable of attacking commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, have largely failed to stop energy exports through the waterway.

Vance's comments came after Trump said Tuesday in Baltimore that his "biggest problem" is that no one knows who is running Iran.

At the same event, Trump stated that the war against Iran could conclude “pretty soon," while suggesting Washington would decide whether to pursue a diplomatic outcome or take a harsher approach.

“We're doing extremely well in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Very well. The whole place is shot. They were the bully of the Middle East. They're not so much the bully anymore. But we have to finish up, and it's only a question of which way we want to do it: the nice way or the not-so-nice way. And pretty soon you'll find out," Trump said.

Last week, Trump described Iran as “ready to fold up" and suggested the war could be won shortly after the midterm elections, or potentially before they take place.

Speaking at an event in Texas, he said, “We have a war going on with a country that will never have a nuclear weapon and is ready to fold up. We'll win very easily right now. I believe right after the election we'll win, but maybe before the election."

Trump has also maintained that Iran was “three to four weeks away, maybe sooner" from obtaining a nuclear weapon when the war began in late February. “And if they have a nuclear weapon, the whole game is over.." he said. He warned that the conflict would end “one way or the other...either they'll do something very proper and smart or they won't be around very long, which is, you know, frankly, I hate to see that, but they won't be around very long."

Satellite images from recent months indicate a significant resumption of activity at the Minzadei complex, a facility northeast of Tehran that the Institute for Science and International Security says was used to develop nuclear weapons. Israel exposed and struck the site during Operation Roaring Lion.

According to the institute’s analysis, high-resolution satellite imagery captured by VANTOR Technologies in September and October 2026 shows a substantial renewal of activity at the complex, months after the Israeli strike.

The site was attacked on March 3, destroying several buildings and damaging underground infrastructure.

In the aftermath of the strike, Iran carried out an extensive cleanup operation, removing rubble and repairing damage to the hillside.

However, the latest images show a return to regular vehicle traffic throughout the complex, as well as ongoing earthworks in one of the areas damaged during the March attack.

Minzadei was one of several facilities linked to Iran’s nuclear program targeted during the campaign. It was described as a “secret nuclear headquarters" on the outskirts of Tehran, alongside other nuclear sites and laboratories hit during the fighting.

As early as May, reports indicated that Tehran had restored its missile infrastructure faster than Western assessments had anticipated, reopening 50 of 69 blocked entrances at underground facilities. Satellite imagery at the time also showed active reconstruction at damaged missile production plants.

During Operation Roaring Lion, thousands of targets across Iran were hit. By the time the ceasefire took effect, Israel had carried out more than 10,800 strikes, dropping over 18,000 munitions and hitting approximately 4,000 targets and more than 6,700 components.

The IDF assessed during the campaign that nearly all facilities designated in advance as “vital and strategic" targets had been put out of operation.

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the war against Iran could conclude “pretty soon," while suggesting Washington would decide whether to pursue a diplomatic outcome or take a harsher approach.

“We're doing extremely well in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Very well. The whole place is shot. They were the bully of the Middle East. They're not so much the bully anymore. But we have to finish up, and it's only a question of which way we want to do it: the nice way or the not-so-nice way. And pretty soon you'll find out," Trump said at an event in Baltimore, Maryland.

The president has repeatedly forecast a swift end to the conflict without specifying when or how it would conclude. On Monday, he said the United States was defeating Iran and predicted the war “will end very quickly" during a rally in Nebraska ahead of November's midterm elections.

“We're saving the world from what could be one of the worst tragedies ever. They won't have - that's decided - they will not have a nuclear weapon. They understand that," he said. Trump also predicted a sharp decline in prices once the conflict ends, adding, “The war will end very quickly, and prices are going to come down very sharply. You might say, 'Please, please, sir, it's going down too fast!' You watch what's going to happen in a very short period of time," he added.

Last week, Trump described Iran as “ready to fold up" and suggested the war could be won shortly after the midterm elections, or potentially before they take place.

Speaking at an event in Texas, he said, “We have a war going on with a country that will never have a nuclear weapon and is ready to fold up. We'll win very easily right now. I believe right after the election we'll win, but maybe before the election."

Trump has also maintained that Iran was “three to four weeks away, maybe sooner" from obtaining a nuclear weapon when the war began in late February. “And if they have a nuclear weapon, the whole game is over.." he said. He warned that the conflict would end “one way or the other...either they'll do something very proper and smart or they won't be around very long, which is, you know, frankly, I hate to see that, but they won't be around very long."

Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei responded on social media by calling Trump “the worst president in American history" and accusing him of making claims detached from reality.

“You can win every day in your own imagination. But reality is shaped by Iran - by its people, its soldiers, and its missiles," Rezaei wrote.

The exchange came as Iran announced that it had received a new American response regarding efforts to restore a ceasefire in the Gulf. Trump said last week that he had rejected an Iranian proposal.

The US Treasury Department warned foreign financial institutions Monday that continuing to conduct business with Iran or its financial sector could expose them to American sanctions without prior warning.

"Foreign financial institutions continuing to transact with sanctioned Iranian financial institutions could be targeted at any time without advance notification and should take immediate action to terminate such activity and relationships," the Treasury Department said in an alert quoted by Reuters.

Iran was already subject to extensive US sanctions before the war began in February. In recent weeks, however, Washington has stepped up pressure on foreign governments and businesses to sever economic ties with Tehran or risk losing access to the US dollar-based financial system.

According to the Treasury notice, foreign financial institutions that help Iran access international financial markets, including by providing services to Iranian banks, their subsidiaries or branches in third countries, could be sanctioned for supporting sanctioned sectors of the Iranian economy. They could also face civil or criminal enforcement action if Iran-related transactions cause US financial institutions or other American persons to violate sanctions.

Among the measures Washington could impose are "strict conditions" prohibiting foreign financial institutions from opening or maintaining US correspondent or payable-through accounts if they engage in sanctioned activities.

The warning comes as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pursues “Operation Economic Outcast," a campaign announced in August designed to economically isolate Iran. The effort is being conducted alongside a US Navy blockade that President Donald Trump reimposed in July.

Bessent has said Washington will continue increasing economic pressure on Tehran until the Iranian government agrees to a peace deal with President Trump. He has also warned that the United States will target assets linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

“We are going to economically asphyxiate this regime," Bessent said in September, adding, “My job is to make sure that they want to have a deal, and they will want to have one."

Bessent said the Treasury Department had located IRGC-linked assets around the world and signaled that they could become targets of US action.

“We are tracking down the IRGC’s assets, and I will say it on worldwide TV, just so you know: We know where in the British Virgin Islands your accounts are at these trust companies," he stated.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces on Monday redirected the 130th commercial vessel in the Middle East during strict enforcement of the ongoing US naval blockade against Iran, CENTCOM said in a statement.

CENTCOM forces resumed the blockade against ships attempting to enter or depart Iranian ports July 14 at the Commander in Chief's direction. In addition to redirecting 130 vessels, American forces have disabled three ships that refused to comply.

Over the past 12 weeks, CENTCOM has destroyed 13 commercial vessels that were violating the blockade or part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' multibillion-dollar shadow network, said the statement.

"The US military remains intensely focused on this mission," said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander. "We will swiftly act against any vessels trying to run the blockade. Our forces are highly trained, professional, and lethal."

All mariners are advised to monitor Notice to Mariners broadcasts and contact US naval forces on bridge-to-bridge channel 16 when operating in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz approaches.