In brief
Donald Trump said he could resume strikes against Iran "at some point," while Iran’s spokesperson warned that any U.S. aggression would trigger a broader, longer‑lasting conflict. The two sides exchanged warnings amid a phone call with Israeli leaders, a letter from the U.S. vice president, and preparedness messages to Gulf allies.
On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump again warned that he could resume air strikes against Iran, prompting Iranian forces to issue a warning that any renewed conflict would be broader and longer than past engagements.
Donald Trump told supporters at a rally in Iowa before the U.S. mid‑term elections that he was “trying to be nice” but that he would “give them the hammer” when necessary: “At some point, we’re going to have to give them the hammer.”
In a statement released by the Iranian Army’s spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia, any U.S. aggression against Iran would be met with an “immediate, decisive response on a larger scale than before,” potentially extending beyond West Asia. Akraminia said U.S. facilities, equipment, personnel, and interests could be targeted “wherever they are within reach,” according to Iran’s semi‑official Mehr news agency.
Akraminia added that a new conflict could “last considerably longer” than the previous one, offering a direct comparison of potential duration.
A phone call on Saturday between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly saw the Israeli leader urging Trump to strike Iran “immediately after the midterm elections.” Trump, according to U.S. news outlet Axios, preferred to keep negotiations open—a stance that raised concern for Netanyahu.
In addition, Tehran received a letter from U.S. Vice President JD Vance sent at Trump’s direction calling for the resumption of peace negotiations. Iran described the letter’s tone as “a good sign.”
The Wall Street Journal reported that senior U.S. military officials briefed Trump on possible options regarding Iran on Thursday. Meanwhile the United States urged several Gulf countries to prepare for a possible brief but intense military campaign against Iran after the midterm elections.
In a statement released Saturday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei instructed senior military commanders to ensure that any threat from the “enemies,” regardless of its nature or scale, would be met with an “immediate and effective” response, without geographical limitations.
On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, a move that set the stage for the current tensions.
Despite the public statements, the timeline and scope of any potential U.S. strike, the exact nature of Iranian retaliation, and the possibility of a prolonged conflict remain unconfirmed, leaving observers uncertain about the next steps from both sides.
