Trump Warns: "If Iran Doesn’t Give Us 100% of What We Want, We’ll Go Back to Fighting"

U.S. President Donald Trump said this evening (*Motzaei Shabbat*) in an interview with the French network LCI that "if we do not get from Iran 100% of what we are demanding, I would absolutely consider a full and forceful return to fighting." His comments came in response to an announcement by Qatar and Oman that they are working with senior Iranian officials to secure a ceasefire agreement and an orderly transit arrangement for ships sailing through the Strait of Hormuz.

It should be noted that for the first time in two weeks, the U.S. did not strike Iran overnight (between Friday and Shabbat). According to reports in the U.S., the assessment is that Trump is giving diplomatic contacts a chance. At the same time, the U.S. Embassy in Israel issued another warning this evening to American citizens in the country, calling on them to "exercise increased caution, remain alert, and be prepared for the possibility of flight cancellations, airspace closures, and additional disruptions."

At the same time, the New York Post published an editorial with a photo of the American president calling on him to fight Iran. The headline read: "Go big and then go home. It’s the only way to end the war."

In Israel, officials are closely watching the possibility of escalation, and the IDF remains on high alert for both defense and attack. Still, the Prime Minister’s Office released a statement: "At President Trump’s invitation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will depart this coming Monday for a visit to Washington. As part of the visit, the prime minister will meet President Trump at the White House on Tuesday and will attend the funeral ceremony for Senator Lindsey Graham, a friend of Israel."

Trump also issued another statement addressing reports that Russia and China are assisting Iran. The American president wrote: "President Xi, during our last meeting in Beijing, China, told me that under no circumstances would he grant or sell weapons to the Islamic Republic of Iran, and that statement also included Chinese companies. Given our relationship, I believe his word, and in addition, I am also doing very big favors for him."

"Similarly, President Putin, despite the terrible war taking place in Ukraine, our relationship continues, just as it also continues with President Zelensky, told me that he would not sell weapons to Iran. He understands that I am not selling weapons to Ukraine, but rather to NATO countries. They pay full price, and after that I have no idea how those weapons are distributed."

"So the two main countries that people often mention in connection with Iran, in my opinion, are not taking part in this. If they were taking part, it would be very bad for them, and it certainly would not serve their interests."