Iran19 October, 20262 min read
Trump And Netanyahu Threaten Strikes On Iran As Tehran Warns Harsher Retaliation Over Hormuz
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Trump and Netanyahu threaten to resume strikes on Iran amid escalating tensions. Tehran warns of harsher retaliation in response to potential US-Israeli strikes.
4 outlets told this the same way.
Outlets did split on Iran’s Pezeshkian Tells Pakistan’s Asim Munir US Must Lift Sanctions Before Talks →
Threats, retaliation, Hormuz
United States President دونالد ترامب and Israeli Prime Minister بنيامين نتنياهو intensified their threats against Iran on Sunday, October 18, as Tehran warned of retaliation amid diplomatic efforts over the Strait of Hormuz.
ترامب warned that the United States could "end the mission soon" against Iran unless Tehran changes its course, and he announced his "full and unwavering" support for نتنياهو ahead of the Israeli elections scheduled for October 27.
عباس عراقجي directly challenged ترامب’s statements about "ending the mission," writing on X, "Do you want to test your luck again? Go ahead, but beware; we too have missions we have not completed yet."
نتنياهو told Israeli journalists that toppling the Iranian regime remains one of Israel’s main objectives, and he said, "We must topple this regime once and for all," while also asserting that Israel is prepared to act independently of Washington if necessary.
Tehran insisted its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume negotiations with Washington remains valid, with the strait reopening on day six and negotiations beginning on day seven if Washington agrees to Iran’s conditions.
Defense minister, military warnings
Iran’s Parliament approved مهرداد أخلاقي كتابجي as defense minister, and the appointment made him one of the veterans in Iran’s missile, aerial, and space industries responsible for the country’s defensive system. مهرداد أخلاقي Khatabji warned ترامب against launching a new American attack, saying Washington should instead focus on withdrawing its forces from the region safely. علي عبد اللهي, the head of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, said any new attack would be met with a response that is "different from the previous and more severe," while an IRGC spokesman warned of a devastating response to Israel if Iran’s energy infrastructure were targeted.
The Revolutionary Guards announced that a tanker was struck by a sea mine south of Hormuz yesterday, causing an explosion and a fire in the engine room. The IRGC warned that ships that switch off their navigation systems while crossing the waterway would be classified as "hostile ships."
US politics and regional pressure
Barbara Leaf, former US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, told Al Jazeera that public opposition to the war with Iran could threaten Republican control of Congress, with economic fallout fueling voter anger. Al Jazeera framed Leaf’s argument around the political impact of the Iran war, linking voter anger to economic fallout and the possibility of shifting congressional control. The Gulf Cooperation Council pushed for a diplomatic solution during a meeting of its foreign ministers in Bahrain yesterday, condemning continued Iranian missile and drone attacks on member states and calling for an immediate halt.
The Gulf Cooperation Council urged the restoration of maritime security and freedom of navigation through Hormuz, and it stressed that any understandings with Tehran must address Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, drones, and support for its proxies. Egypt said it stood ready to provide all forms of necessary and possible support to Saudi, while the Gulf Cooperation Council condemned continued Houthi attacks and reiterated its collective support for Riyadh.