Trump warns Russia could join forces with Iran as Tehran dares US to strike again: 'Try your luck'
President Donald Trump warned that aggressive action against Moscow could push Russia into a closer alliance with Iran, potentially jeopardizing Ukraine peace talks. Meanwhile, Iran's foreign minister issued a direct challenge to Washington, daring the US to launch another attack and warning Tehran has "unfinished jobs too."
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Iran dares Trump to attack again, warns US of 'unfinished jobs' as tensions soar
Iran's foreign minister issued a defiant response to President Donald Trump on Sunday, challenging the United States to launch another attack and warning that Tehran was prepared to retaliate.
“Last time you wanted to 'finish the job,' Iran emerged even stronger,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a post on X.
“Want to try your luck again? Be our guest. But be careful; we have unfinished jobs too,” he warned.
Araghchi also accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of pushing the United States toward another war to avoid prosecution.
“Netanyahu is driving America into another war to stay out of jail, whatever the consequences for Israel—let alone POTUS,” he said.
Araghchi’s remarks came after Trump warned that the United States could “soon finish the job” against Iran unless Tehran changes course and gave Netanyahu his “complete and total endorsement” for reelection Sunday.
Netanyahu also vowed Sunday to bring down the Islamic Republic, saying he had instructed Israel’s security agencies to pursue that goal.
Trump reveals why he waited to endorse Netanyahu ahead of high-stakes election
President Donald Trump said Sunday he had always planned to endorse Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but held off to avoid making the endorsement too early.
"I was always going to do that. I just didn't want to do it too soon," Trump told Axios.
Trump also said the two leaders have a "good relationship" and would "continue to do well" together if Netanyahu wins reelection.
"It is important that Israel has a person they can count on," Trump said.
Asked whether he could work with another Israeli leader, Trump said: "Maybe I will, maybe I won't. Who wants to take the chance?"
Israel's Oct. 27 elections are nine days away, with Trump's endorsement potentially providing a boost to Netanyahu's reelection bid.
Oil prices fall after Trump waives sanctions, tariffs on Russia
Oil prices fell in early Asian trading Monday after President Donald Trump waived sanctions and tariffs on Russia, a move that could increase Russian fuel exports, Reuters reported.
Brent crude futures fell $1.06, or 0.96%, to $108.80 per barrel by 2214 GMT after closing Friday at their highest level since May 19. Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell 23 cents, or 0.23%, to $101.18 per barrel.
Yemen's military claims 370 Houthis killed in 1,326 strikes during sweeping 24-hour offensive
Yemen’s armed forces launched a 24-hour offensive under “Operation Dawn of Yemen” on Sunday, carrying out more than 1,000 targeted strikes that killed hundreds of Houthis, the military said.
"As part of Operation Dawn of Yemen, our forces executed 1,326 direct targeting ops over the 24 past hours against Houthis militia targets across all fronts, resulting in neutralizing 370 Houthi members & destructing & disabling dozens of military vehicles," an armed forces spokesperson said in a post on X.
Iran taunts Macron over French protests, warns of consequences
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei accused French President Emmanuel Macron of hypocrisy on Sunday over his response to protests in France.
“Back in January, you prescribed ‘peaceful assembly without fear of punishment’ for those attacking our law enforcement centers and public institutions at the behest of foreign malign actors,” Baghaei said.
“You quickly declare that destruction and attacks on state institutions will not be tolerated and perpetrators will be swiftly punished,” he added.
Baghaei went on to say that Tehran had not forgotten how, before the “aggression against Iran,” Macron had sent a message to President Donald Trump saying, “We can do great things on Iran.”
“It soon became clear that your version of ‘great things’ meant aligning with a campaign of aggression and atrocities that eventually engulfed the region and the world,” Baghaei added.
Baghaei also warned that Macron’s policies could ultimately backfire and quoted French writer Jean de La Fontaine: “A trick crafted too skillfully may turn against its designer; and betrayal often returns to its master.”
His X post also featured footage of protests and an image of Macron’s message to Trump.
Trump warns Putin could side with Iran if Russia peace talks fail, says Ukraine 'in shambles'
President Donald Trump defended his Russia strategy Sunday while warning that immediate action against Moscow could derail peace talks and drive Moscow into a closer alliance with Tehran.
In a post shared on Truth Social, Trump also accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of driving up global diesel prices through refinery strikes.
“My decision on Russia is a very simple one,” Trump said Sunday before describing his efforts to negotiate an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump said he didn't want to do anything that would “drive, foolishly, Russia away from the bargaining table” and claimed significant progress was being made in peace talks and ongoing hostage negotiations.
“Russia is doing very little, if anything, to help the Islamic Republic of Iran, compared to what they could be doing, and I want to keep it that way, and will, unless stupid people get in the way,” Trump said.
Trump also accused Zelenskyy of targeting Russian diesel refineries, saying the Ukrainian president was using them “as a target” while knowing that the attacks are “seriously hurting the world diesel markets, including those in the United States.”
“Farmers, ranchers, and businesses of all kinds are suffering greatly from this, but Russia is, nevertheless, sending, at a low price, millions of barrels of diesel to the World,” Trump said.
“Zelenskyy doesn’t care, and frankly, with all of the money that Europe is famously giving him, and that Crooked Joe Biden gave him in the past, he doesn’t want to end this war, and probably never did,” Trump said.
“He could have made a better deal two years ago than he can now. His country is in shambles, a large portion of his land is lost, his oceans and seas are gone, and his male population is low, wounded, and/or dead,” Trump added.
“I WANT THIS WAR END!” Trump said.
Iran threatens AI, data firms with 'enforcement' as new Persian Gulf authority looms
Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, said Sunday that a new “Persian Gulf Data Authority” would soon be established, signaling a possible new effort to penalize companies across the region.
“The Persian Gulf Data Authority is coming,” Ghalibaf announced on X.
“To governments, funds, and firms in the region: you are kindly advised to give no resources to any AI or data company aiding invasions or killing children,” he said, adding, “No finance, equity, land and energy.”
“Assist them and face our enforcement,” Ghalibaf warned.
While Ghalibaf provided few details about the new authority, Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, had warned last week that undersea cables, data centers and AI facilities could become targets if the United States and Israel resumed strikes on Iran, according to Iran International.
"If war breaks out, many cables, data centers and artificial intelligence facilities, valued at $2 trillion, will be within range," Rezaei said, according to state media.
Iran touts ‘new operational plan’ if US, Israel resume strikes
A senior Iranian security official warned Sunday that Tehran has prepared a more devastating military response if the United States and Israel launch renewed strikes, threatening to abandon the rules of previous conflicts.
“The ramblings and repeated threats of these days from American and Zionist officials do not change the reality of the field,” Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said on X.
“Iran's armed forces have prepared a more devastating plan than the 12- and 40-day wars for a new adventure,”Rezaei said before adding that Iran's “new operational plan will not proceed with rules that they know.”
Rezaee's remarks came as Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Iranian media outlets Sunday that an offer to the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within seven days remains on the table, Reuters reported.
President Donald Trump also warned on Truth Social Sunday that Washington could “soon finish the job” against Iran unless Tehran changes course.
Netanyahu thanks Trump for 'extraordinary endorsement'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked President Donald Trump for his endorsement in the Oct. 27 Knesset elections.
"President Trump, my friend Donald – thank you for your extraordinary endorsement. Israel has never had a greater friend in the White House. Together we will never let Iran's regime get nuclear weapons. Thank you for your clarity, courage and unwavering support."
Trump is supporting Netanyahu and his Likud Party, urging Israel voters to pick the man he called a "great warrior" and U.S. "partner for peace" amid the multi-front war on Iran and its nuclear weapons aspirations.
"I have watched Bibi under the most trying of times," Trump wrote Sunday morning in a full-throated endorsement of the Likud leader. "Normal men or women in such situations would have wilted under the pressure — But Bibi did not wilt, he actually got stronger, and maintains that same Strength today."
Energy Secretary Chris Wright: Global security outweighs energy price surge amid Iran war
Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended the Trump administration’s decision to confront Iran, arguing that protecting the world from a nuclear-armed Iranian regime outweighed the energy price surge triggered by the conflict.
“Gasoline prices did come down; they never got remotely close to $5 a gallon,” Wright told CNN’s "State of the Union" on Sunday.
"No, of course I’m not comfortable, but I’m happy they’re coming down.
“They’ve gone down the last few weeks, as have diesel prices, and will continue to come down, that’s what President Trump works on every day.”
Wright defended the decision to confront Iran.
“The Iranian government killed 30,000 to 40,000 of their own citizens in January of this year before the conflict,” Wright said. “Are you comfortable with a nuclear-armed Iranian regime that’s in power right now? I don’t think anyone is comfortable with that.”
Wright also said the administration is pursuing additional diesel supplies to ease prices, including a temporary waiver allowing Russia to export diesel.
President Donald Trump endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection Sunday, calling him a “Great Warrior Prime Minister” and praising his leadership during the Iran war.
Trump said Iran has been “systematically destroyed, both militarily and financially” and says the U.S. could “soon finish the job” unless Tehran rapidly changes course.
“If Israel has the wrong leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!” he concluded.
Egypt urges de-escalation, talks security with Saudi Arabia
Egypt’s foreign minister Badr Abdelatty said Sunday that he discussed regional developments and the importance of de-escalation during a phone call with his Saudi counterpart.
The conversation came as Saudi Arabia faces renewed attacks from Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen and Egypt weighs additional support for the kingdom.
The ministers also discussed efforts to protect regional security and stability as the Iran war continues to threaten energy markets and shipping routes.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Energy Secretary Wright: Russia diesel waiver ‘carrot’ to attain peace as Russian FM heads to Iran
Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended the Trump administration’s decision to waive sanctions on Russian diesel exports, calling the move a “carrot” aimed at ending global wars and lowering global energy prices.
“This is a carrot to try to end a war,” Wright told ABC's "This Week" on Sunday. “It’s not an economic lifeline for Russia.”
"What the president move was done was for diesel fuel, which is what the world is short right now. And Russia exports today, zero diesel. This is an incentive to Russia that if they can reduce the conflict with Ukraine, they can get an energy ceasefire or reduce the conflicts such that they have diesel to export, will allow it to flow to world markets. This is a carrot to try to end a war. It's not an economic lifeline for Russia."
The comments came as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov prepares to travel to Iran on Monday for talks amid the broader Middle East conflict.
“What the president move was done was for diesel fuel, which is what the world is short right now,” Wright said. “And Russia exports today, zero diesel. This is an incentive to Russia that if they can reduce the conflict with Ukraine, they can get an energy ceasefire or reduce the conflicts such that they have diesel to export, will allow it to flow to world markets.”
Wright said the policy is designed to pressure Moscow to reduce its war effort while increasing fuel supplies for Americans and the rest of the world.
“This is a carrot for Russia to reduce the war effort and drive down energy prices for Americans and the rest of the world at the same time,” he said.
Wright added that gasoline and diesel prices peaked several weeks ago but have fallen only slightly.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Bessent says Iran war driving ‘energy shock’ as gas prices surge
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Iran war is fueling an “energy shock” that has pushed gas prices higher, but predicted prices will fall once the conflict ends.
“Gas prices will come down by the new year” depending on “what happens with the Iran conflict,” Bessent said during an NBC "Meet the Press" interview Sunday.
“We have an energy shock,” Bessent said. “We will get to the other side of the Iran conflict and those prices will come down.”
Bessent said the energy markets could ultimately be better supplied than before the war, as the administration faces pressure over inflation and rising fuel costs.
“The wage increases are going to be persistent,” he said. “We will get to the other side of the Iran conflict. And I believe that the energy markets are going to be better supplied than they were.”
Senate candidate Mike Rogers calls to ‘wrap up’ Iran conflict as diesel prices hit Michigan
Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers said the Trump administration should bring the Iran conflict to an end, arguing that the war is driving up diesel prices and hurting Michigan farmers during the critical harvest season.
“It’s time to wrap up the Iran conflict,” Rogers said. “We’ve have got to get this thing settled. Our initial objectives have been met. Let’s wrap it up. Let’s get these prices back down. Let’s get people putting a little more money in their wallets.”
Rogers said he would have supported legislation keeping sanctions on Russia, expressing skepticism about the administration’s plan to lower diesel prices.
“I do worry about the optics of it, but I understand what his motives are,” Rogers said, referring to President Donald Trump. “His motive is to try to get prices back down on diesel.”
“September and October are the two biggest harvest months for Michigan,” Rogers said, adding that high diesel costs make it harder for farmers to bring crops out of the fields and leave families struggling at the grocery store.
Russia’s foreign minister to visit Tehran as Iran war tensions simmer
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to visit Tehran on Monday, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, as Moscow and Tehran coordinate amid the ongoing Iran war.
The visit comes as Iran faces pressure over its nuclear program, attacks on regional shipping and its efforts to control the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian and Russian officials are expected to discuss the conflict, regional security and diplomatic efforts aimed at ending hostilities.
President Donald Trump, seeking to make peace in Ukraine and the Middle East, recently moved to lift sanctions on Russia, perhaps as leverage for peace.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Dem Sen Kaine seizes on Iran conflict as 'war of choice' in midterm messaging
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., discussed growing concerns about the Iran conflict on "Fox News Sunday."
Kaine also denounced President Donald Trump's waving of sanctions against Russia, pushed the Democrats' 2026 midterm narratives.
Trump tells Fox News that Iran 'excursion' had to be done, despite oil price, political shocks
President Donald Trump defended his decision to launch military action against Iran despite concerns that the war could drive up oil and gas prices.
Trump told Fox News correspondent Molly Line in an exclusive back-stage rally interview Saturday that rural voters should understand that Iran is “the No. 1 state sponsor of terror.”
“I think when you explain and I've seen it, Molly, when you explain to them that Iran is the number one state sponsor of terror, they're very, very tough and very evil, and they've killed many Americans, but they've killed many people,” Trump said.
Trump acknowledged that oil prices could have risen higher after the strikes.
“I thought oil would be much higher when I did it, and I knew that's not good politically,” Trump said. “But I also, you know, I don't view things politically.”
Trump said the economy had been performing well before he ordered the operation.
“But the stock market was the best for oil in case of the best. They're also better now,” Trump said. “Everything was going good and I said, I have to do the excursion.”
Oil prices hit 5-month high as Iran war rattles Middle East markets
Oil prices surged nearly 4% as escalating Middle East tensions fueled fears of tighter global supply and pushed Saudi Arabia’s stock market higher.
Brent crude settled at $109.86 per barrel, up $3.94, or 3.7%, its highest level since May 19. Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index rose 0.8%, led by a 2.1% gain in oil giant Saudi Aramco.
The rally came as Iran continued to threaten the stability of the Strait of Hormuz, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi saying Tehran’s proposal to reopen the key shipping route within seven days remains on the table.
Qatar’s stock market fell 2% to its lowest close since April 2020, while Egypt’s blue-chip index dropped 2.6% as regional tensions deepened and Iran-aligned Houthis intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Saudi Arabia says danger has passed in Najran
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense said Sunday that a potential danger in the southern Najran region had passed.
The warning came as Iran-aligned Houthis continue attacks on Saudi Arabia following the collapse of a truce in Yemen. Egypt’s parliament is set to continue discussions Monday on whether to authorize support for Saudi Arabia amid the escalating Houthi threat.
Egypt has said it is prepared to help defend Saudi Arabia’s security, territory and resources if requested.
Reuters contributed to this report.