By Mars Strangelove Jr. on Duty, Curated by Yiannis Damellos
October 24, 2026 / Source: Al Jazeera News

President Donald Trump said the United States was considering an attack on Iran as soon as Sunday, October 25, while leaving open the possibility of reaching a deal with Tehran. Trump suggested Washington might have to “finish the job.” Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian blamed the United States for the breakdown of interim agreement talks, calling American officials “cowards” who had “messed everything up,” while maintaining that Iran should continue pursuing an agreement.
US Intelligence Warns of Potential Iranian Plots Abroad
Meanwhile, a US intelligence memo has warned that Iran is in the “advanced stages” of plans to target American personnel abroad, according to US officials and reporting by Axios and The New York Times. The memo, sent by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reportedly described a substantial increase in Iranian efforts to target US personnel overseas, with plots reaching advanced stages in the Middle East and elsewhere. The assessment has prompted heightened security alerts and the withdrawal of some American personnel from the region. The administration has not publicly commented on the memo, although a US official confirmed its authenticity to The New York Times.

Obama Blames Trump's Iran War for Rising Prices Ahead of Midterms

Former President Barack Obama attacked Trump’s handling of the war at a campaign rally in Ohio, arguing that the conflict was increasing the cost of living for Americans. Obama said oil and diesel prices had risen because Iran now had “veto power” over the Strait of Hormuz. He contrasted the war with the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated during his presidency, under which Iran accepted restrictions on uranium enrichment and international inspections in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump withdrew the United States from that agreement in 2018.
The conflict’s economic consequences are becoming a central issue in the US midterm campaign. Obama told the rally that diplomacy had constrained Iran’s nuclear programme without requiring American missile strikes. His remarks came as Democrats campaign ahead of the November 3 elections, with the war and higher fuel prices forming part of their criticism of the Trump administration.

Israel’s Election Becomes a Test of Its War Strategy

In Israel, the coming general election is being framed by some analysts as a choice between continued military confrontation and a change in policy. Yossi Mekelberg, a Middle East analyst at Chatham House, said the election would in large part determine whether Israelis wanted what he described as a “never-ending war.” He argued that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government had achieved tactical military gains without delivering its promised strategic victories against Hezbollah, Iran and Hamas.
Mekelberg also said a different Israeli government could create an opportunity for changes in policy towards Palestinians. He suggested a coalition involving Gadi Eisenkot, Yair Golan, Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett could take a firmer position against settler violence and reconsider the controversial E1 settlement expansion project in the occupied West Bank. He cautioned that a change of government would not guarantee progress and said changes within the Palestinian political system would also be necessary.

Hebron Under Lockdown as Demolitions Displace Palestinian Families

On the ground, Israeli military operations have placed nearly half a million Palestinians in Hebron under lockdown, according to Al Jazeera’s reporting from the occupied West Bank. Extensive demolitions have devastated the Farsh al-Hawa area, and more than 200 families were forced from their homes overnight. Some houses have reportedly been occupied by Israeli soldiers and converted into military outposts. The municipality has established temporary shelters, while Palestinian education authorities have instructed schools to keep children at home for two days. Movement across the West Bank remains restricted by military checkpoints.

Fighting Intensifies Around Yemen’s Besieged Taiz

Fighting has also intensified around Taiz in Yemen, where Houthi forces are attempting to advance towards the city from several directions. Government forces and allied fighters have been trying to repel attacks on the western, eastern and southern fronts. Residential areas and villages around Taiz have come under repeated attack, while local authorities and community leaders have accused the Houthis of forcibly recruiting children in areas recently captured by the group. Separately, Saudi-led coalition forces said they intercepted and destroyed a drone over the Riyadh region.

Iran Challenges Germany Over Its Position on Israel

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei also pointed to what he described as a change in Germany’s position on the conflict. He contrasted Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s support for Israel’s military campaign against Iran in June 2025 with more recent statements by German officials warning against renewed attacks and calling for efforts to prevent further escalation. The comments came as Washington and Tehran continued to exchange accusations over the collapse of negotiations.
Trump’s threat of a possible Sunday attack leaves the immediate course of the war uncertain. Washington has raised security alerts over reported Iranian threats, while Tehran says diplomacy remains possible but blames the United States for undermining the interim agreement. No new deal has been announced, and Trump has not confirmed whether he will order another strike.