World

Iran to Trump: Don't Attack Again, We Have Unfinished Business

Stateline MEDIA Newsroom•October 20, 2026•3 min read

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned the United States against attacking Tehran again, accusing Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu of dragging Washington into a new war to avoid prison. The warning came after Trump expressed support for Netanyahu ahead of Israel's October 27, 2026 election.

Key Facts

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned the United States against launching military strikes on Iran again in a post on social media X on Monday (19/10/2026).
"The last time you wanted to 'finish the job,' Iran showed up with even greater strength... But be careful, we too have unfinished business," Araghchi wrote.
Araghchi accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of deliberately pushing the US into a new war against Iran to avoid prison.
Netanyahu is currently standing trial on domestic charges of corruption, bribery, and fraud, and has been wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) since 2024 over alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip.
The warning came after US President Donald Trump expressed open support for Netanyahu ahead of Israel's October 27, 2026 election and threatened that the US would act on its own if Israel were led by the wrong leader.
The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran in late February 2026; Iran retaliated with counterstrikes and closed the Strait of Hormuz. Fighting is reported to be ongoing despite attempts at a ceasefire.

Stern Warning from Tehran

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a stern warning to the United States on Monday (19/10/2026). Via social media X, he urged Washington not to launch another military strike against Tehran. "Last time you wanted to 'finish the job,' Iran emerged even stronger. Want to try your luck again? Go ahead. But be careful, we too have unfinished business," Araghchi wrote.

The warning was issued in response to US President Donald Trump's open support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel's elections scheduled for October 27, 2026. Trump praised the US-Israel partnership in confronting Iran while warning that if Israel were led by the wrong leader, America would have to "do this job ourselves."

Accusation: Netanyahu Seeking War to Avoid Prison

In the same post, Araghchi accused Netanyahu of deliberately pushing the United States into a new war against Iran to save himself from legal jeopardy. "Netanyahu is pushing America into another war so he doesn't go to prison," he wrote. According to Araghchi, Netanyahu is ignoring the consequences that could be borne by Israel and Trump himself.

The allegation refers to the legal troubles surrounding Netanyahu. Domestically, he is standing trial on charges of corruption, bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. At the international level, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant against him over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip since 2024.

Background: The February War and the Strait of Hormuz

US-Iran tensions peaked when the United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran in late February 2026. The operation killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with several senior defense officials. Iran retaliated with counterstrikes and closed the Strait of Hormuz, the world's strategic energy trade route.

Despite earlier ceasefire efforts, fighting between the United States and Iran is reportedly still ongoing. Araghchi stressed that Tehran is ready to face the possibility of further escalation — a signal that the conflict in the region will not ease anytime soon. The statement also served as a direct message to Trump, who in recent weeks has ramped up rhetoric about the possibility of new military action against Tehran.