Iran Warns Renewed War Could Last Longer as Trump Threatens More Strikes
Iran has warned that renewed fighting with the US could last longer than the previous conflict, as Trump threatens further strikes and Netanyahu pushes for military action after the US midterm elections. Tehran says it remains open to diplomacy but is preparing for another war.
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In a Nutshell
- Iran warned that any renewed war with the US could last longer than the previous conflict, with army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia saying Trump would not be able to dictate its timing or terms.
- Trump said the US still had one or two targets to strike, including the suspected underground nuclear complex at Pickaxe Mountain, which he claimed could be hit within minutes.
- Netanyahu reportedly pressed Trump to resume strikes immediately after the November 3 US midterm elections, while Trump wanted to allow negotiations to continue.
- Iran’s security chief Mohsen Rezaei said he received a letter from US Vice President JD Vance seeking to revive talks, describing a change in Washington’s tone but not yet responding.
- Iran says negotiations depend on the release of frozen assets, an end to the US naval blockade and sanctions, and a ceasefire across all fronts.
Context
The war began on February 28 with US and Israeli strikes on Iran, killing its former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and triggering a regional conflict. Since then, both the US and Iran have been engaged in tit-for-tat missile and drone attacks, submerging the West Asian region into an extremely vulnerable and fragile state of affairs. The US and Iran are the key actors in this conflict, but other countries and armed groups have also become involved in the attacks and retaliations. The Houthis, who are aligned with Iran, entered the fray in June by attacking Israel and threatening shipping in the Red Sea. They later announced a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia on July 20.
In April, the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, announced on April 8, with Pakistan mediating the talks that led to it. This was followed by a June 17 MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) setting out an interim agreement and framework for further negotiations. However, the agreement collapsed amid renewed fighting in July and formally expired in August. Following this, Trump has repeatedly claimed the war could end within weeks while threatening to finish Iran with renewed strikes.
The current announcement is another in a series of many such statements. Washington warned Middle Eastern allies on October 28 to prepare for another round of attacks after the November 3 midterm elections, potentially lasting several days, and for Iranian retaliation against energy facilities and critical infrastructure.
Regional governments have meanwhile sought to contain the conflict. Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye held talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran on October 26, while Egypt authorised possible defensive assistance to Saudi Arabia if requested, amid increasing Houthi attacks. The UAE has also called for a political solution, warning that another round of fighting would not serve regional interests.
Why It Matters
Trump’s threat to strike Iran’s remaining targets while negotiations continue, alongside Netanyahu’s push for military action after the midterms, puts diplomatic efforts under further pressure. Iran’s warning that another war could last longer and extend beyond its borders suggests that renewed strikes could trigger a much wider conflict than the previous round of fighting.
What We Think
The US appears to be betting that further military pressure will force Iran to accept its terms, but Tehran’s warnings suggest another round of strikes could prolong rather than resolve the conflict. Regional countries are trying to prevent that escalation, yet may end up bearing its consequences through attacks on energy infrastructure and shipping if diplomacy fails.