US President Donald Trump has issued stern warnings to Hamas and Iran, threatening swift and severe action if Hamas fails to disarm and if Iran attempts to rebuild its nuclear program. The statements were made following a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
Trump Emphasizes Hamas Disarmament
During a joint press conference, Trump reiterated that Hamas must adhere to the ceasefire agreement brokered by the US in Gaza.
“We talked about Hamas and we talked about disarmament, and they’re going to be given a very short period of time to disarm… If they don’t disarm, as they agreed to do, there’ll be hell to pay,” Trump warned.
The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire, effective from October 10, involves the exchange of Israeli captives held by Hamas for Palestinian detainees in Israel, alongside increased humanitarian aid and a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
Trump placed the responsibility for delays in advancing to the second phase squarely on Hamas, despite ongoing Israeli military strikes in Gaza, which have reportedly killed at least 400 people and restricted humanitarian aid. Hamas has indicated it will not fully disarm as long as Israeli occupation continues, though it offered a long-term truce of seven to ten years.
Threats Against Iran
Trump also addressed concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, suggesting that Tehran may be attempting to rebuild facilities damaged during US airstrikes in June.
“If Iran is trying to build up again, we’re going to have to knock them down. We’ll knock the hell out of them,” he stated, adding that the consequences of any new strike could be more severe than the previous attacks.
Trump declined to present evidence of Iran’s alleged nuclear activities but insisted that both the US and Israel had been “extremely victorious” in previous strikes, contributing to regional stability.
When asked if the US would support an Israeli strike on Iran’s missile or nuclear programs, Trump confirmed:
“If they continue with the missiles, yes. The nuclear? Fast. One will be: Yes, absolutely. The other: We’ll do it immediately.”
Iran has denied seeking nuclear weapons and refuses to negotiate on its missile program, which it considers essential to national defense.
Context: US-Israel Ceasefire and Regional Security
Trump and Netanyahu’s discussions focused not only on Gaza but also on Israel’s broader security concerns, including threats posed by Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran’s long-range missile capabilities.
US allies, including Senator Lindsey Graham, have expressed alarm over Iran’s missile production, warning that it could overwhelm Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system. The June conflict, sometimes referred to as the 12-day war, saw Iran retaliate to Israeli airstrikes with hundreds of missiles, following the killing of key Iranian generals and nuclear scientists.
Trump emphasized that Iran would be wise to negotiate rather than risk further US military action:
“If they want to make a deal, that’s much smarter… They could have made a deal before the previous attack and avoided the consequences.”
Potential Implications for Middle East Stability
Trump’s statements signal continued US support for Israel and a willingness to escalate military action against perceived threats from Hamas and Iran. Analysts warn that renewed strikes could heighten regional tensions and risk sparking broader conflicts.
Trita Parsi, executive vice president at the Quincy Institute, noted that Iran’s response to future attacks would likely be much harsher:
“The Iranians understand that unless they strike back hard, Israel may feel emboldened to conduct repeated attacks every six months.”
While the Trump administration’s National Security Strategy aims to refocus US foreign policy toward the Western Hemisphere, escalating hostilities with Iran could challenge this goal and prolong instability in the Middle East.
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