Iran warns renewed war with US could outlast previous conflict
An Iranian army spokesperson warned on Sunday that a renewed war with the US could last longer than the previous one. The statement followed US President Donald Trump's remark that a few more targets still needed to be dealt with.
Iranian army spokesperson Mohammad Akraminia said on Sunday, 2 November, that any new war with the United States could last longer than the previous round of fighting, and that the US president would not be able to dictate its timing or the terms of its end. The warning comes as efforts to end the Middle East war have been repeatedly interrupted by US and Israeli threats to resume bombing, while both countries hold important elections.
The war began on 28 February with US-Israeli strikes on Iran. In its most intense phase, Tehran retaliated with missile and drone attacks across the region, and Iran-aligned armed groups joined the fighting in Lebanon and Yemen.
Trump's remarks and the call with Netanyahu
US President Donald Trump told reporters that one or two sites still had to be dealt with, which he said could be done in 10 minutes. He also mentioned "Pickaxe Mountain", a suspected underground nuclear complex. According to US media, Trump spoke on Saturday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about whether and when to step up operations against Iran. Axios, citing one US and one Israeli official, reported that Netanyahu urged a strike immediately after Tuesday's US midterm elections, while Trump wanted to let negotiations continue. Trump confirmed the conversation but gave no details.
Iranian warnings and conditions
Revolutionary Guards spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi repeated a warning from Iran's new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, that a conflict with America would have no geographical limitations. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran hoped for diplomacy but remained ready for both defence and diplomacy.
Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei disclosed that he had received a letter from US Vice President JD Vance seeking to revive talks. He noted a more positive tone but said he had not yet replied. Tehran demands the unfreezing of Iranian assets abroad, an end to the US naval blockade of its ports, the lifting of sanctions and an end to the war on all fronts. Iran claims control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route.
Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the Emirati president, said the United Arab Emirates hoped for a diplomatic breakthrough but was preparing for the worst.