Susanna Riva Recent statements by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have reignited debate over the possibility of a new military operation against Iran. Both leaders spoke at campaign events, issuing warnings that appear to be translating into concrete action in the strategic Gulf region.
Trump and Netanyahu's statements on Iran strategy
At a rally in Iowa, Trump emphasized that he had already resolved eight wars and was engaged in two more, adding that "we're going to finish Iran very soon, one way or another." The American leader's defiant tone was accompanied by a remark of apparent contempt: "It's almost meaningless to me."
At the same time, Netanyahu, whom Trump has identified as the most suitable leader to lead the conflict, reiterated that any Iranian aggression will be punished with a response of "strength and power they cannot even imagine." Both statements suggest an intention to intensify efforts before the US midterm elections.
Trump's speech in Iowa
As part of his campaign tour, Trump stated that the United States could end "its operation against Iran now," but that "it's still not enough." He also asserted that the small increase in oil prices is "a small price to pay" to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon. The statement was accompanied by a post on Truth Social, in which he accused Iran of artificially creating tensions to inflate energy prices just before the midterms.
Iranian response: threats of escalation of the conflict
Iran responded with a clear warning: if the United States and Israel resume air strikes, Iran's response will extend beyond US military bases and ships to include airports, oil pipelines, and other civilian infrastructure in Gulf countries. Tehran also threatened to intensify attacks on American personnel, sink US warships, and sever undersea telecommunications cables in the Strait of Hormuz.
Fires and attacks in the Gulf area
Meanwhile, hostilities continue on the ground. Overnight, Houthi rebels fired a ballistic missile toward the Saudi capital Riyadh, prompting alarm and a swift response from Saudi air defense, which declared it had intercepted the projectile. The Houthis themselves claimed responsibility for an attack on Dammam International Airport in Saudi Arabia, which killed two people (a Saudi citizen and an Indian) and injured eight. Meanwhile, three oil tankers were struck by mines in the Strait of Hormuz, one of which exploded, fueling rhetoric threatening a broader response from the IRGC.
Houthi attack in Riyadh
Saudi authorities canceled the alert a few minutes later, claiming the missile had been destroyed. However, videos circulating on social media show the alleged impact, fueling tensions in the region. A spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition highlighted the air defense forces' readiness to counter threats from Iranian-backed groups, maintaining high vigilance as the midterm elections approach.
This entire process is taking place in a sensitive electoral context for the United States, where foreign policy decisions can influence public opinion. President Trump has declared that the priority objective is to prevent Iran from possessing a nuclear weapon, even at the cost of a temporary increase in oil prices. The American strategy appears to be to maintain pressure until the midterm elections are finalized, when new courses of action could be explored.