Trump Issues Fresh Warning to Iran, Presses Hamas to Disarm After Netanyahu Meeting

Post by : Saif Nasser

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Iran and the Palestinian militant group Hamas following a high-level meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida. Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump said the United States could support another major military strike on Iran if it resumes rebuilding its nuclear or ballistic missile programs. At the same time, he warned Hamas that severe consequences would follow if the group does not disarm.

Trump said recent reports suggest that Iran may be trying to restore its weapons programs at new locations, after key sites were destroyed during a large U.S. strike earlier this year. He claimed the U.S. knows where Iran may be operating and made it clear that Washington would not hesitate to act if Tehran crosses red lines. Referring to the B-2 bomber used in the previous strike, Trump said he hoped Iran would not force the U.S. into another long and costly military operation.

While delivering these warnings, Trump also signaled that diplomacy remains possible. He noted that he has discussed the idea of a nuclear deal with Iran in recent months. However, Iran’s recent missile exercises have raised concerns in Washington and Israel, especially after the brief but intense war between Israel and Iran in June. Israeli leaders say they are closely monitoring Iran’s activities but insist they are not actively seeking a new conflict.

Trump’s remarks were even sharper when addressing Hamas. He blamed the group for failing to disarm under the Gaza ceasefire agreement reached in October and accused it of delaying progress toward peace. Trump said Israel has largely respected the deal, while Hamas continues to hold weapons and control territory. He warned that Hamas was inviting “hell to pay” if it does not lay down its arms, repeating language he has used before during the Gaza conflict.

The ceasefire in Gaza has reduced large-scale fighting, but it remains fragile. Israel and Hamas accuse each other of serious violations, and Israeli troops are still stationed in about half of the territory. Hamas has refused to disarm and has been reasserting its authority in Gaza, deepening Israeli concerns. Israeli officials have said that if Hamas does not disarm peacefully, military action could resume.

Trump said he wants to move forward to the second phase of the ceasefire plan, which includes deploying international peacekeeping forces in Gaza. This stage would also involve Israel withdrawing further from the territory and Hamas giving up its role as a governing authority. However, progress has been slow, and key conditions remain unmet. Israel has said it will not open the Rafah crossing with Egypt until Hamas returns the remains of the last Israeli hostage believed to be in Gaza. The hostage’s family joined Netanyahu’s delegation, highlighting the emotional importance of the issue.

During the meeting, Trump and Netanyahu also discussed wider regional concerns, including Lebanon, Syria, and the possibility of Turkish peacekeepers in Gaza. While Trump has often praised Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, relations between Israel and Turkey remain strained, making any Turkish role in Gaza highly sensitive. The leaders also spoke about Syria, where Israel remains suspicious of the new government despite Trump expressing confidence that relations could improve.

Trump’s comments showed strong personal support for Netanyahu, even as some U.S. officials privately question Israel’s long-term commitment to the Gaza ceasefire. Trump has taken credit for helping to broker ceasefires involving Israel, Hamas, Iran, and Lebanon, but his latest statements suggest he is willing to risk renewed tensions to enforce these agreements.

As the situation stands, the Middle East remains deeply unstable. Strong warnings, fragile ceasefires, and unresolved disputes continue to shape the region’s future. Whether diplomacy or conflict will prevail now depends largely on how Iran and Hamas respond to Trump’s latest message.