Iran Foreign Minister Says Benjamin Netanyahu Is 'Driving America Into Another War to Stay Out of Jail' as Trump Gives 'Total Endorsement' in Israel Election

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of driving the U.S. into another war to stay out of jail, with a warning to Washington that Iran has unfinished jobs of its own.

Trump’s Endorsement

In a post on X, Araghchi said Iran “emerged even stronger” the last time Washington wanted to “finish the job.”

He invited the U.S. to “try your luck again” but cautioned that Iran has “unfinished jobs too.”

Iran faces a naval blockade aimed at cutting its oil revenue, with Vortexa data showing seaborne crude exports fell from an average of 230,000 barrels per day to zero in September and stayed there as of Oct. 5, Reuters reported.

“Netanyahu is driving America into another war to stay out of jail, whatever the consequences for Israel—let alone POTUS,” Araghchi added.

Last time you wanted to "finish the job", Iran emerged even stronger. Want to try your luck again? Be our guest. But be careful; we have unfinished jobs too.

Netanyahu is driving America into another war to stay out of jail, whatever the consequences for Israel—let alone POTUS.

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) October 18, 2026

Trump Backs Netanyahu

President Donald Trump gave Netanyahu his “Complete and Total Endorsement” in Israel’s upcoming re-election race on Sunday.

In a post on Truth Social addressed to the people of Israel, Trump called him a “Great Warrior Prime Minister” and said Iran has been “systematically destroyed, both Militarily and Financially,” but “we will soon finish the job” unless it changes its ways.

“If Israel has the wrong Leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so,” Trump added.

Netanyahu faces an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, issued in 2024, over alleged war crimes in Gaza.

Tanker Hits Naval Mine Near Hormuz

The Revolutionary Guards navy said a non-compliant oil tanker struck a naval mine in waters south of the Strait of Hormuz, causing an explosion and a fire in its engine room, Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

In a statement, the IRGC Navy reported that a non-compliant oil tanker struck a naval mine in waters south of the Strait of Hormuz, causing an explosion and a fire in its engine room. pic.twitter.com/qjTKvCS5SW

— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) October 18, 2026

The agency released footage it said showed the blast and blaze in the engine room, and described the tanker as having been hit “after violating regulations.”

Footage showing the blast and blaze in the engine room of the oil tanker that was hit by a naval mine south of the Strait of Hormuz after violating regulations. pic.twitter.com/k4ZpPobH5B

— IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) October 18, 2026

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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