US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intensified their threats against Iran on Sunday, as Tehran warned of a stronger military response to any renewed attacks. Despite the escalating rhetoric, diplomatic efforts continued to resolve tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and the broader regional conflict.
Trump warned that Washington could “soon finish the job” against Iran unless Tehran changed its policies. He also expressed his “complete and total endorsement” of Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s October 27 election.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that Iran had been systematically weakened militarily and financially. He warned that the United States could take direct responsibility for the conflict if Netanyahu failed to remain in power, arguing that Washington might have to act independently under a different Israeli leader.
Speaking to Israeli journalists on Sunday, Netanyahu said dismantling the Islamic Republic remained a major objective of his government. He confirmed that he had instructed Israel’s security agencies to pursue that goal.
Netanyahu claimed that 90 percent of the work required to defeat Israel’s enemies had been completed. He pointed to Iran’s economic difficulties and domestic protests as evidence of what he described as the Iranian government’s weakness.
“We must bring this regime down once and for all,” Netanyahu said, adding that Israel was prepared to act independently of Washington if necessary. Responding to Trump’s endorsement, he declared, “Together we will complete the mission!”
Tehran Warns of a Stronger Response
Iranian officials responded to the threats with warnings against renewed military action by the United States or Israel.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi challenged Trump’s promise to “finish the job,” arguing that Iran had emerged stronger from the previous confrontation. “Want to try your luck again? Be our guest. But be careful; we have unfinished jobs too,” Araghchi wrote on X. He also accused Netanyahu of attempting to drag the United States into another war to advance his political interests.
Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament approved Mehrdad Akhlaghi Ketabchi as defense minister on Sunday. The appointment places a veteran of Iran’s missile and aerospace industries in charge of the country’s defense establishment.
Ketabchi warned Trump against launching another attack, urging Washington to concentrate instead on ensuring the safe withdrawal of its forces from the region.
Iranian military leaders issued similar warnings. Armed Forces Chief of Staff Ali Abdollahi said any new attack would trigger a response “different from, and more severe than before.”
An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) spokesman also threatened a devastating response against Israel if Iranian energy infrastructure came under attack.
Diplomatic Efforts Continue Over Strait of Hormuz
Despite the sharp exchanges, Tehran said its proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resume negotiations with Washington remained on the table.
Araghchi said Iran’s seven-day proposal, first presented in September, was still available as Tehran reviewed the US response.
Under the proposal, the strategically important waterway would reopen on the sixth day, with negotiations beginning on the seventh day if Washington accepted Iran’s conditions.
Tehran’s demands include lifting the US blockade on Iranian ports, removing sanctions on oil exports and ending hostilities across regional fronts.
Washington, however, wants Iran to make significant reductions in uranium enrichment. Tehran has insisted that initial negotiations should focus on restoring security and ensuring the free flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) also called for a diplomatic resolution during a meeting of its foreign ministers in Bahrain on Sunday.
The bloc condemned continued Iranian missile and drone attacks against its member states, demanded an immediate halt to the attacks and called for the restoration of maritime security and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
The GCC urged all parties to return to dialogue but stressed that any agreement with Tehran should address Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, drone capabilities and support for regional proxy groups. It also insisted that Gulf states be included in negotiations affecting their security.
Maritime Incidents Add to Regional Tensions
Tensions continued at sea as military and maritime authorities reported separate incidents near the Strait of Hormuz and the United Arab Emirates.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Navy said an oil tanker struck a naval mine south of the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, triggering an explosion and a fire in the vessel’s engine room. The Guards also warned that ships switching off their navigation systems while passing through the waterway would be classified as “hostile vessels.”
Separately, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that a southbound tugboat northeast of Khor Fakkan in the UAE was struck by two unidentified projectiles. The incident damaged the vessel and resulted in one minor casualty, although the tug continued its journey.
The maritime incidents have added to concerns over the security of a critical global shipping route, through which substantial volumes of the world’s oil supplies normally pass.
GCC Reaffirms Support for Saudi Arabia
The regional confrontation also extended to Saudi Arabia, with the GCC condemning escalating Houthi attacks and reaffirming its collective support for Riyadh.
Egypt separately expressed its readiness to provide Saudi Arabia with “all necessary and possible forms of support.” Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi sought parliamentary authorization on Saturday for the country’s military to assist in defending Saudi Arabia if the kingdom requested help.
The developments underscore the growing risk of a wider regional confrontation, even as diplomatic initiatives continue. With Washington and Israel maintaining a hard line against Tehran and Iran threatening a more severe response to further attacks, the future of negotiations and security across the Gulf remains uncertain.
