In brief
Donald Trump said he had not finished with Iran and hinted at future strikes during a rally in Iowa, while Iranian troops warned of a broader, longer conflict if the U.S. renewed hostilities. A call between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reported, with Netanyahu urging immediate action post‑midterm elections, though Trump favored negotiations. Iranian officials said the army would target U.S. assets worldwide and instructed commanders to respond with "immediate and effective" force, regardless of location.
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to resume air strikes against Iran during a rally in Iowa on Sunday, according to Xinhua, and Iranian military spokesmen warned of a broader and longer conflict if U.S. aggression were to return.
At the rally, Trump said he had not finished with Iran, adding that at some point "we’ll have to give them the hammer."
Iran’s army spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia said any renewed U.S. aggression would be met with "an immediate, decisive response on a larger scale than before," targeting U.S. facilities, equipment, personnel and interests wherever they are within reach.
"an immediate, decisive response on a larger scale than before,"
"U.S. facilities, equipment, personnel, and interests could be targeted wherever they are within reach."
Axios reported that Trump had a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday; Netanyahu urged Trump to strike Iran immediately after the mid‑term elections, while Trump preferred to allow negotiations to continue, a stance that Netanyahu concerned.
The same Xinhua report said Tehran had received a letter from U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Thursday, sent at Trump’s direction calling for the resumption of peace negotiations, which Iran described as a "good sign."
Senior U.S. military officials had briefed Trump Thursday on various options regarding Iran, and the United States had urged several Gulf countries to prepare for a brief but intense military campaign against Iran following the mid‑term elections.
In a statement released Saturday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was said to have instructed senior military commanders to ensure that any threat from enemies would be met with an "immediate and effective" response, without geographical limitations.
