Day 247 | Iran warns US, ‘Israel’ against new attacks after Trump, Netanyahu threats

US President Donald Trump has confirmed speaking with 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying the two discussed Iran as Washington weighs the possibility of renewed military action against Tehran.

Asked by reporters on Sunday whether he could disclose anything about the conversation, Trump described it as a “very good talk” but declined to provide further details.

When specifically asked whether Iran had been discussed, Trump replied: “I did. Yeah, I did.”

The confirmation comes amid growing concerns over a possible resumption of the US-'Israeli' war against Iran, which began on Fb. 28 and has since left the region facing continued military and diplomatic tensions.

According to Axios, which cited US and 'Israeli' officials, Trump and Netanyahu spoke on Saturday about the stalled negotiations with Tehran and the possibility of renewed military operations.

The report said Netanyahu was pressing Trump to launch fresh strikes against Iran immediately after the Nov. 3 US midterm elections, while Trump preferred to allow diplomatic efforts more time to produce an agreement. The 'Israeli' and American accounts reportedly differed in their characterization of the conversation.

Trump's latest comments also follow his remarks on Saturday that negotiations with Iran were “going fine,” although he maintained that Washington still had one or two Iranian targets to address, including the suspected underground nuclear facility at Pickaxe Mountain.

• Iran's Revolutionary Guard says two tankers exploded after allegedly entering an unauthorized shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz.
• The IRGC claims one vessel was a supertanker and accused the ships of switching off their navigation and identification systems.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy said two oil tankers exploded after striking naval mines while attempting to navigate what Tehran described as an unauthorized route through the Strait of Hormuz.

In a statement carried by Iranian media, the IRGC said the vessels had switched off their navigation and identification systems and were attempting to cross the waterway secretly with support from the US military.

The statement said one of the vessels was a supertanker that caught fire following a powerful explosion. It added that both tankers had been brought to a halt following the incidents.

IRGC-affiliated Sepah News posted footage of the incident. 

The claims could not be independently verified.

Tensions over Strait of Hormuz shipping

The announcement comes amid heightened tensions over maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supplies passed before the conflict.

Iran has repeatedly warned commercial vessels against using routes it considers unauthorized, as Tehran seeks to maintain control over maritime traffic through the strait.

On October 30, the IRGC said four oil tankers had caught fire after striking naval mines while attempting to use unauthorized routes.

The US military's Central Command has disputed Iran's claims about mined shipping lanes, saying international commercial transit routes had been cleared of Iranian naval mines.

Pakistan’s embassy in Tehran on Sunday rejected circulating reports that its ambassador had been attacked in the Iranian capital, describing the claims as baseless and factually incorrect.

In a statement posted on X, the Embassy of Pakistan in Iran said it had taken note of “certain reports circulating in social media and other forums” concerning Ambassador Imran Ahmed Siddiqui.

“The embassy categorically clarifies that these reports are baseless and factually incorrect,” the mission stated.

The Embassy of Pakistan in Tehran has taken note of certain reports circulating in social media and other forums concerning Ambassador Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, Ambassador of Pakistan to the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Embassy categorically clarifies that these reports are baseless and factually incorrect. https://t.co/A9lOy3hFX6 سفارت جمهوری اسلامی پاکستان در تهران، از انتشار برخی گزارش‌ها در شبکه‌های اجتماعی و سایر محافل درباره جناب آقای عمران احمد صدیقی، سفیر جمهوری اسلامی پاکستان در جمهوری اسلامی ایران، مطلع شده است. سفارت بدین‌وسیله به‌طور قاطع تصریح می‌کند که این گزارش‌ها بی‌اساس بوده و از صحت و اعتبار برخوردار نیستند

— Embassy of Pakistan, Iran (@PakinIran) November 1, 2026

An Iranian state media report carried a similar clarification, noting that the reports had “no truth or credibility whatsoever.”

The rumours spread rapidly after social media accounts shared a video showing a commotion involving a crowd in an unidentified building, with people appearing to engage in physical altercations.

Some posts alleged that Siddiqui had been invited to an unspecified event in Tehran, was assaulted by several individuals, and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The embassy did not provide further details on the origin of the claims but moved quickly to counter them.

Ambassador Siddiqui was appointed as Pakistan’s envoy to Iran in February 2026 after previously serving as ambassador to Bangladesh.

He has not issued a personal statement on the matter via his social media account.

The denial comes against the backdrop of ongoing regional tensions in which Pakistan has played a mediating role between Iran and the United States.

‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged US President Donald Trump in a Saturday phone call to resume military operations against Iran immediately after the US midterm elections on Tuesday, but Trump prefers to allow more time for diplomatic negotiations with Tehran, according to Axios citing sources familiar with the discussion.

The call, described by one ‘Israeli’ source as “tough” and by a US source as “direct,” focused on the status of ongoing US talks with Iran and the timing of any return to combat.

Netanyahu pressed for strikes right after the November 3 midterms.

Trump, for now, favors letting negotiations continue, a position that has raised concerns on the ‘Israeli’ side.

The Wall Street Journal first reported that the two leaders spoke Saturday morning but did not detail the contents.

Trump told reporters in Palm Beach on Saturday that negotiations with Iran are “going fine” and that he is “not in much of a hurry.”

He added that while Iranians “want to make a deal,” they “are not very reliable... They make a deal and then they back out.”

At the same time, he said the US still needs to “take care” of one or two nuclear sites, noting: “We can do that in 10 minutes. We have that planned. You can look at Pickaxe Mountain. We need to take care of that. We can do that very quickly.”

Vice President JD Vance recently sent a letter to Iran’s national security chief Mohsen Rezaei proposing a restart of negotiations, the highest-level US outreach in months.

Qatari mediators have been meeting Iranian officials, including on Sunday, in efforts to revive direct talks.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that no agreement has been reached yet and that progress depends on the US answering Tehran’s questions, adding that Iran is making “every effort” and hopes the other side will “choose diplomacy over other paths.”

US and ‘Israeli’ forces remain at elevated readiness.

Earlier reports indicated Netanyahu had previously raised concerns about Iranian steps to reconstitute aspects of its nuclear program and discussed potential operations timed around the ‘Israeli’ and US elections.

Trump has publicly stated he would not attack Iran before the midterms while keeping options open afterward.

‘Israel’s’ recent election produced no clear majority for either Netanyahu’s bloc or the opposition, leaving coalition talks ongoing.

The Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government said on Sunday that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile and a drone launched by Houthi forces toward Saudi Arabia’s southern region.

Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki announced the ballistic missile interception in a statement on X.

التحالف: الدفاع الجوي اعترض ودمر صاروخ باليستي أطلقته الميليشيا الحوثية الإرهابية باتجاه المنطقة الجنوبية. https://t.co/fzZYsrBoZd

— المتحدث الرسمي باسم قوات التحالف (@CJFCSpox) November 1, 2026

Shortly afterward, he reported the interception and destruction of a drone also directed at the southern region.

The statements form part of a pattern of repeated Houthi missile and drone launches toward Saudi territory in recent weeks.

In late October, the coalition reported intercepting multiple ballistic missiles and drones aimed at areas including the Eastern Province, Riyadh region, and sites near Mecca province.

Saudi authorities have occasionally reported debris from intercepted projectiles causing limited damage or minor injuries, while the Houthis have claimed attacks on airports and energy infrastructure.

The Saudi-led coalition has been engaged in Yemen since 2015 against the Houthis, who control large parts of the country including the capital Sanaa.

Cross-border attacks by the Iran-aligned group have continued intermittently amid broader regional tensions.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Sunday that the United States' decision to pursue diplomacy or another path depends on its "own rationality," as indirect consultations between Tehran and Washington continue amid efforts to end the war.

Speaking to Iranian state media, Araghchi said no direct meeting with US officials had taken place or been planned, adding that discussions were being conducted through intermediaries, including Qatar.

He said Tehran was reviewing a proposal initially presented as a seven-day plan but subsequently revised into a two-day framework.

Qatari mediators had visited Tehran, while his deputy traveled to continue consultations and relay developments.

Araghchi said the discussions were progressing but had not produced a final agreement, adding that the outcome depended on Washington's responses to several unresolved questions.

"We hope that there will be enough rationality on the other side to prefer diplomacy over other paths," he said.

Iran says armed forces prepared for escalation

Despite expressing support for a diplomatic solution, Araghchi warned that Iran was also prepared for renewed military confrontation.

He said Iran's armed forces were now significantly stronger than during the previous two conflicts, citing lessons and experience gained from earlier fighting.

"Our armed forces now have their mission clearly defined. They are far stronger now than during the past two conflicts," he said, adding that Tehran was prepared to defend itself while continuing to pursue diplomacy.

His remarks followed a message from Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, emphasizing military readiness amid concerns over a possible resumption of hostilities.

Qatar mediates as talks continue

The comments came as Iranian and Qatari negotiators held a third consecutive day of discussions in Doha on Sunday, seeking an agreement to end the eight-month US-‘Israeli’ war on Iran, according to Reuters.

The revised proposal reportedly aims to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days of a potential agreement, potentially easing disruptions to international shipping and energy supplies.

The latest diplomatic efforts follow earlier attempts to revive a June memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, which included provisions addressing Iran's nuclear program and maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday that President Donald Trump had not decided whether to launch further strikes against Iran, while expressing a preference for a diplomatic resolution.

Yemeni government armed forces conducted 1,272 targeted strikes over a 24-hour window against the Houthis, along with military hardware, and logistics corridors as part of the ongoing "Fajr Al-Yaman" (Dawn of Yemen) operation, military officials said.

The spokesperson for the Yemeni armed forces, Staff Colonel Majed Abdullah Al-Nazili, stated that the strikes hit concentrations of Houthi fighters, defensive fortifications, firing positions, and transport networks.

تواصل قواتنا المسلحة تنفيذ مهامها القتالية ضمن عملية «فجر اليمن»، وخلال الـ 24 ساعة الماضية نفذت (1272) عملية استهداف طالت تجمعات مليشيا الحوثي الإرهابية وتعزيزاتها وتحصيناتها ومصادر نيرانها ووسائل حركتها وإمدادها. وأسهمت الاستهدافات، بالتزامن مع الأعمال القتالية لوحداتنا، في إلحاق خسائر بقدرات المليشيا وإسناد التقدم واستعادة مواقع في جبهة الجوف، فيما تواصل قواتنا عملياتها على امتداد الجبهات الشمالية، وجبهات مأرب والبيضاء والجبهة الجنوبية والجنوبية الغربية. وفي تعز، يواصل أبطال القوات المسلحة والمقاومة الشعبية معركتهم بثبات وإصرار، مسنودين بالطيران الحربي والمسير والمدفعية، ويوجهون ضربات لتحركات المليشيا وتعزيزاتها، مجسدين إرادة تعز وأبنائها في مواجهة التهديد والدفاع عن أرضهم وأهلهم. وأسفرت العمليات عن تحييد نحو (500) من القيادات الميدانية وعناصر المليشيا، وتدمير وإعطاب (169) آلية ومعدة وقطعة سلاح ثقيل. وتواصل قواتنا المسلحة أداء مهامها بعزم واقتدار، مع اتخاذ الاحتياطات الواجبة لحماية المدنيين والأعيان المدنية.

— الناطق الرسمي للقوات المسلحة اليمنية (@spokespersonyem) November 1, 2026

The coordinated strikes coincided with ground engagements that "inflicted losses on the militia's capabilities." Operations were also reported across northern battlegrounds, as well as the Marib, Al-Bayda, and southwestern sectors.

In the southwestern governorate of Taiz, government troops and allied forces continued operations against Houthi positions with sustained support from fighter jets, combat drones, and artillery batteries, targeting movement corridors and reinforcements.

The military command claimed that the day's operations resulted in the "neutralization" of around 500 field commanders and personnel, alongside the destruction or disablement of 169 military vehicles, pieces of heavy machinery, and heavy weapons systems.

Spokesperson Al-Nazili stated that military units are continuing combat missions in line with operational planning, stating that precautions remain in place to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure in active theater zones.

• Both Amman and Riyadh voiced full solidarity with Qatar in any actions taken to safeguard its vessels, interests, and national assets

Jordan and Saudi Arabia condemned an attack on the liquefied natural gas carrier Al Maayeda, operated by Qatar Gas Transport Company Limited (Nakilat), while transiting waters in the Arabian Gulf, warning against growing risks to global energy supplies and maritime navigation.

In a statement issued by Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Jordan described the incident as a breach of international law and a direct threat to the freedom of navigation.

دان الأردن اليوم الهجوم على ناقلة الغاز الطبيعي المسال "المايده" التابعة لشركة قطر لنقل الغاز المحدودة "ناقلات"، أثناء إبحارها في مياه الخليج العربي، باعتباره انتهاكا للقانون الدولي وتهديدا لحرية الملاحة البحرية. وأكدت وزارة الخارجية وشؤون المغتربين في بيان على ضرورة احترام القانون الدولي وضمان حرية الملاحة البحرية وسلامة السفن وأطقمها، محذرة من التداعيات الخطيرة على أمن المنطقة واستقرارها وعلى الاقتصاد الدولي والبيئة جراء استهداف ناقلات الطاقة. كما أكدت الوزارة تضامن الأردن المطلق مع دولة قطر الشقيقة، ووقوفه الكامل معها في كل ما تتخذه من خطوات لحماية أمنها ومصالحها ومقدراتها. #الأردن #قطر

— وزارة الخارجية وشؤون المغتربين الأردنية (@ForeignMinistry) November 1, 2026

The ministry emphasized the necessity of adhering to international conventions ensuring the safety of commercial vessels and their crews, cautioning against serious repercussions for regional stability, the global economy, and the maritime environment.

Amman affirmed its solidarity with Qatar and supported any measures it takes to protect its security and interests.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement condemning the targeting of the Qatari vessel.

#بيان | تعرب وزارة الخارجية عن إدانة واستنكار المملكة العربية السعودية بأشد العبارات استهداف ناقلة الغاز الطبيعي المسال "المايده"، التابعة لشركة قطر لنقل الغاز، في مياه الخليج العربي، مجددة رفضها لكافة الانتهاكات التي تهدد أمن وسلامة الملاحة البحرية وإمدادات الطاقة العالمية. https://t.co/bH9Rza7w28

— وزارة الخارجية 🇸🇦 (@KSAMOFA) November 1, 2026

Riyadh reaffirmed its firm stance against actions that compromise the safety of maritime corridors and the flow of international energy resources.

Saudi authorities declared support for Qatar in securing its commercial fleet and international trade routes, while urging the international community to take immediate steps to uphold maritime law and ensure regional maritime security.

Yemeni armed forces intercepted and shot down two drones belonging to the Houthis along the Sabr front, located in the mountain range south of Taiz city in southwestern Yemen, Taiz Military Axis Media Center reported.

• Outlets drew a sharp division between life inside the country and exiled opposition leaders, labeling the event as "joy and dancing for him, grief and inflation for Iranians"

Iranian media outlets have circulated video footage of exiled former crown prince Reza Pahlavi celebrating his birthday, using the clip to accuse him of detachment from domestic realities inside Iran.

The circulating clip shows Pahlavi seated beside a decorated cake bearing a crown design, clapping and smiling as guests sing and dance around him.

Accompanying commentaries in Iranian media framed the celebration in contrast to the challenges faced by ordinary citizens inside the country. They highlighted ongoing hardships alongside mourning by families of those who died during past confrontations on Jan. 8 and 9, when nationwide anti-government demonstrations in Iran escalated into a peak political crisis and a state crackdown.

The media emphasized a recurring narrative across domestic media: "Bombing, death, poverty, inflation, and grief for Iranians; joy, celebration, dancing, and singing on his birthday for him," characterizing opposition figures living abroad as disconnected from the public.

• Araghchi clarified that the mission was strictly focused on Qatari mediation rather than direct dialogue with US officials, noting that final outcomes depend on Washington's responses
• Tehran reiterated its readiness for both diplomatic engagement and military response, citing recent directives from Iran’s leadership and readiness drawn from previous conflicts

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated that an Iranian delegation led by a deputy foreign minister traveled to Doha to advance consultations with Qatari mediators over a proposed two-day plan, while emphasizing that Tehran remains simultaneously prepared for diplomatic resolutions and defense contingencies.

Araghchi outlined the scope of the Doha visit, stating that the meetings were designed exclusively for mediation consultations following prior visits by Qatari officials to Tehran over recent weeks.

"Fundamentally, this trip was not designed for negotiations with the American side," Araghchi said. "Currently, consultations regarding the two-day plan with the mediators continue and are in the process of implementation, but we have not yet reached a definitive outcome. Reaching a result depends on the answers the other side provides to our questions."

The foreign minister expressed hope that decision-makers in Washington would prioritize diplomatic channels over military alternatives, stating that Iranian officials are pursuing diplomatic efforts to reach an understanding.

Addressing broader regional tensions and military posture, Araghchi pointed to recent guidance issued by Iran's Supreme Leader to senior armed forces commanders as a clear reflection of the country's strategic resolve.

He noted that the Iranian armed forces have defined operational directives and have drawn on lessons from past military confrontations to bolster their defensive readiness.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran remains simultaneously prepared for defense and diplomacy," Araghchi said, adding that Washington's subsequent choices would determine which path the ongoing crisis takes.

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group issued a warning to global investors and commercial air carriers, stating that Saudi Aramco facilities are in their operational crosshairs and urging international airlines to avoid entering Saudi airspace.

In a statement carried by Saba news agency, a military Houthi source cautioned that economic assets within the kingdom, particularly installations operated by energy firm Saudi Aramco, remain within targeting range.

The official characterized investments in Aramco as a high-risk venture fraught with potential financial losses, signaling potential strikes against energy infrastructure.

The military Houthi source also issued an advisory directing international airlines to avoid operating through Saudi skies, warning commercial operators of the operational hazards in the region.

The Saudi-led Coalition to support Yemen’s internationally-recognized government said on Sunday that it conducted what it called a “precision” military operation that morning to “neutralize vital resources” used by Iran-backed Houthi forces to support their ballistic missile and drone programs.

In a statement issued by Coalition spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Malki, the coalition warned that the Houthis must cease all hostile operations against civilians and civilian infrastructure or face “consequences”.

It gave no further details on the operation and the nature of the targets struck.

https://t.co/BU160JNVu3

— المتحدث الرسمي باسم قوات التحالف (@CJFCSpox) November 1, 2026

The announcement comes amid a sharp escalation in fighting that began in September, when Houthi forces advanced along Yemen’s Red Sea coast toward the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Yemeni government forces, backed by coalition air support, launched a counteroffensive.

In early October, Houthi missile and drone strikes on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed at least 13 people and wounded hundreds in the deadliest attack on Saudi soil in more than a decade.

Further strikes and interceptions of missiles and drones have been reported on both sides in subsequent weeks, with the coalition conducting repeated operations targeting Houthi missile storage, launchers, and related infrastructure.

The Saudi-led coalition has backed Yemen’s internationally recognized government against the Iran-aligned Houthis since intervening in 2015.

A UN-brokered truce largely held from 2022 until the recent fighting. The Houthis control much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa.

Iran’s army spokesman said the country has completed the purchase of Russian Su-35 fighter jets and expects to receive them after the current conflict with the United States ends.

Brig. Gen. Mohammad Akraminia, spokesman for the Islamic Republic of Iran Army (Artesh), made the remarks in an interview with the Iranian outlets.

He stated that preliminary work on the acquisition, including procurement and contracts handled by relevant bodies outside the army, had been completed years earlier, along with pilot training.

“There were no longer any problems in that regard,” he said.

The aircraft “were supposed to arrive before the war. God willing, we will certainly receive them after the war and upgrade our air fleet.”

Akraminia framed the Su-35s as part of broader plans to modernize the air force with advanced aircraft.

He noted that while Iran has made domestic progress, purchasing from abroad brings closer access to advanced technology.

He expressed confidence that the army’s air force “will emerge after the war with more power and with more advanced aircraft and equipment.”

He also discussed related capabilities such as airborne early-warning systems (AWACS), ground and airborne radar, satellites, and ambitions for fifth-generation fighters.

The comments mark one of the clearest official confirmations from the regular army of a deal long discussed in Iranian media and by other officials.

In January 2025, a Revolutionary Guards officer had previously indicated a purchase had been completed.

Leaked Russian industry documents reported in late 2025 pointed to an order of around 48 Su-35s, valued in the billions of euros, though Moscow has not publicly confirmed numbers or timelines.

Open-source reports earlier in 2026 indicated that roughly 19–20 of the jets had been completed at a Russian plant and remained in Russia, with factors such as infrastructure issues at potential basing sites cited in some accounts.

Neither Tehran nor Moscow has released detailed delivery schedules, configurations, or exact quantities in connection with Akraminia’s latest statements.

The Su-35, a Russian 4.5-generation multirole fighter produced by Sukhoi, is designed for air superiority and ground-attack roles and would represent a significant upgrade for Iran’s aging fleet, which still relies heavily on older US-origin aircraft from before 1979 alongside domestic platforms.

Russia is the sole established manufacturer of the type.Akraminia’s interview occurred against the backdrop of ongoing hostilities that Iranian officials say began in late February.

He did not explain the reasons for the delay in pre-war delivery and emphasized Iran’s readiness and reliance on domestically produced weapons in recent fighting while still pursuing foreign advanced systems.

Former Mossad deputy head of global operations Oded Ailam has suggested that 'Israel' could launch a surprise attack targeting Iran’s military leadership if hostilities between Tehran and Tel Aviv resume.

In remarks to the New York Post, Ailam said a dramatic operation modeled on the 2024 pager attacks against Hezbollah remains a possible option.

He described surprise and unexpected operations as central to 'Israel’s' strategy, adding that it possesses classified intelligence and military capabilities that could be activated at the appropriate time. 

According to the New York Post report, Ailam identified four Iranian military and security figures as potential targets:

• Ahmad Vahidi, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
• Hossein Taeb, a senior Basij commander.
• Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran’s armed forces headquarters.
• Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.

Ailam characterized Iran’s military leadership as the country’s actual center of power, arguing that political leaders have been unable to secure a deal with Washington. These assessments reflect his views and have not been independently verified. 

The remarks invoke the September 2024 operation in which thousands of communication devices used by Hezbollah members in Lebanon and Syria exploded.

The attacks took place on September 17 and 18, 2024, involving pagers and walkie-talkies. The operation killed dozens of people and injured thousands, including civilians.

The attacks were widely attributed to 'Israel' and represented a major escalation in its confrontation with Hezbollah. 

The comments come amid renewed concerns over a possible escalation between the United States and Iran, with reports of additional US naval deployments to the Middle East.

However, Ailam’s remarks do not establish that a pager-style operation has been approved or that an attack is imminent. They indicate that such a scenario remains among the options discussed by a former senior intelligence official.

Yemen’s Foreign Ministry has reported allegations that shells suspected of containing toxic substances were used on several front lines in Taiz, western Yemen, calling for a specialized technical investigation to verify the reports.

The ministry stressed the importance of conducting a technical assessment to establish the nature of the suspected substances.

Earlier, Yemeni strategic analyst Yasser Saleh told Al Jazeera that symptoms reported following a large-scale Houthi attack on the Kahlan area, southeast of Taiz city, were consistent with sarin gas poisoning.

Sarin is a highly toxic nerve agent classified as a chemical weapon. However, the allegations have not been independently confirmed.

Iran has no intention of negotiating with the United States over its nuclear program, regardless of pressure, Deputy Parliament Speaker Ali Nikzad has said.

Addressing a parliamentary session, Nikzad said Iran’s resilience and military capabilities had forced Washington and its allies to confront what he described as the Islamic Republic’s strength.

“They must accept that they have no choice but to acknowledge the power of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said, adding that the United States, rather than Iran, would ultimately surrender in the conflict.

Nikzad also dismissed the prospect of renewed nuclear negotiations, saying Washington had “nothing new to offer.”

He accused the United States of repeatedly breaking its commitments and carrying out what he described as illegal strikes on Iran’s peaceful nuclear facilities.

Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat) has reported that its liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, Al Maayeda, was attacked by unidentified objects while sailing in the Arabian Gulf on Friday evening.

In a statement published on the Qatar Stock Exchange on Sunday, the company said no crew members were injured and the incident caused no environmental impact.

Nakilat said the vessel remained in a safe condition and retained its ability to maneuver, while an assessment of the damage was underway.

The company added that it was maintaining direct communication with the vessel and its crew, as well as coordinating with relevant maritime security authorities in the region to ensure their safety.

Nakilat said it was closely monitoring developments surrounding the incident.

Iran’s army has warned that any new military attack by the United States would trigger an immediate and extensive response, cautioning that a future conflict could spread beyond West Asia and last longer than previous wars.

Army spokesperson Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia said Tehran would respond to any new US attack with greater force.

“Any new attacks by the US will be met with an immediate, crushing response that is even more extensive than in the past,” Akraminia said in remarks carried by Iranian state media.

Akraminia warned that any future conflict would not necessarily remain confined to West Asia.

“Should a new war erupt, the geography of the conflict will not be confined to the West Asia region,” he said, adding that the fighting could last significantly longer than previous conflicts.

He also said Iran’s military doctrine had shifted from a purely defensive posture toward a more offensive approach.

“Our doctrine began moving from a purely defensive stance towards an offensive approach some time ago,” he added.

‘Israel’ may consider a pager-style operation against Iranian military leaders if war resumes, a former Mossad official said.

Amid rising tensions and the deployment of a third US aircraft carrier to the Middle East, a report suggests ‘Israel’ could pursue a surprise attack similar to its 2024 “Operation Grim Beeper” against Hezbollah if hostilities with Iran restart after the US midterm elections.

The New York Post cited former Mossad Deputy Head of Global Operations Oded Ailam, who said such an operation targeting Iran’s military leadership remains possible.

In September 2024, ‘Israel’ detonated thousands of explosive-rigged pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah operatives across Lebanon and Syria.

The operation killed dozens and injured thousands, significantly weakening the Iran-backed group.

Ailam described surprise tactics as core to the ‘Israeli’ strategy.

“This is the bread and butter of Israeli strategy, is surprise twists and turns, unexpected moves and I’m absolutely certain that Israel has cards in the sleeve that will be used,” he told the Post.

According to Ailam, Iran’s formal political leadership—including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Ghalibaf, and Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei—functions largely as figureheads.

Real power, he said, rests with a military quadrumvirate: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander-in-Chief Ahmad Vahidi, Basij forces commander Hossein Taeb, Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Ali Abdollahi, and Supreme National Security Council Secretary Mohsen Rezaei.

“The president and foreign minister can’t make decisions. [The military junta] hides behind Mojtaba, but he’s not in charge; he’s a complete puppet,” Ailam stated.

These four officials have been linked to the suppression of anti-regime protests earlier in 2026, with reports of tens of thousands killed, and hold longstanding sanctions designations related to terrorism and other activities.

They have reportedly resisted diplomatic outreach, including efforts involving the Strait of Hormuz, and shown internal frictions amid sanctions and a US military blockade.

Ailam noted the leaders are likely preparing for conventional airstrikes but that ‘Israel’ has long developed unconventional options.

“Israel will use its imagination, its intelligence and the ability of the Israelis to surprise and turn the table in ways you can not anticipate,” he said.

U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated the conflict “is going to get wrapped up soon,” while senators have offered differing assessments of potential escalation.

Retired US General Jack Keane has advocated targeting Iranian leadership alongside nuclear, energy, and missile infrastructure, citing improved intelligence from recent ceasefire periods.

Ailam argued a successful surprise leadership strike could have profound psychological effects: “The effect is enormous, especially on the psychology of the enemy. Imagine after the attack there’s a conversation somewhere in a bunker with the top echelons of Iran and everybody’s looking to the left and to the right and thinking the guy next to him is a spy.”

Analysts expect any renewed US or Israeli strikes to trigger strong Iranian retaliation aimed at survival.

Former ‘Israeli’ military Major General Yaakov Amidror noted that attacks on Gulf energy facilities could provide ‘Israel’ grounds to strike Iran’s energy sector extensively, potentially setting it back decades, though he stressed neutralizing nuclear and missile capabilities as the priority.

The report comes as Mojtaba Khamenei has recently met senior commanders and ordered readiness for responses “without geographical limitation.”