Netanyahu Vows to ‘Eliminate the Iranian Threat’ With Trump After Election Endorsement
Benjamin Netanyahu has promised that his partnership with Donald Trump will “eliminate the Iranian threat”. He made the vow ahead of Israel’s October 27 election, hours after the US president endorsed his re-election bid. Moreover, the Netanyahu Iran threat pledge came in a video released by his Likud party on Sunday night, AFP reported.
In the video, Netanyahu called on voters to heed Trump’s words. He assured Israelis that “we have crushed Iran”. He said the partnership with Trump “will continue in order to eliminate the Iranian threat”. Moreover, he added it would do so “over the next two years, or even sooner”.
The statement is his first public response since Trump endorsed his re-election on Sunday. In fact, it came after the US president called him “Strong, Brave, and Brilliant”.
The Netanyahu Iran threat pledge
Netanyahu framed the election as a choice about who can stand beside Trump. He told voters that re-electing him would keep the partnership intact. This, he said, was needed for the fight against Tehran.
Subsequently, he thanked Trump within hours on X. “Thank you, President Trump, for your tremendous support and for our work together. Together we will complete the mission!” he wrote.
Trump’s endorsement and the October 27 vote
Trump’s backing came nine days before Israel’s parliamentary election on October 27. It is the country’s first national vote since the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023. Meanwhile, polls show Netanyahu locked in a tight race. Meanwhile, opposition politicians accuse him of bearing personal responsibility for the attack. Specifically, they say he ignored warnings.
The endorsement is not certain to help. Israeli public support for Trump has diminished in recent months. Moreover, opposition leaders say only Israeli voters will decide the outcome. However, a Netanyahu victory would likely harden Washington’s line on Tehran. Indeed, this comes at a moment when diplomacy is barely holding.
A region already on edge
Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s pledge lands in a region bracing for escalation on several fronts at once.
In Cairo, Egypt’s parliament postponed a vote. It concerned President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s request to authorise military support for Saudi Arabia. As a result, deliberations were extended to Monday.
In Abu Dhabi, UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan met a Saudi counterpart. Specifically, he held talks with Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. They discussed Middle East developments, the Emirati state news agency WAM reported.
Iran showed no sign of backing down. IRGC chief Major General Ahmad Vahidi promised “strategic synergy” with the defence ministry. This was aimed against “enemy” threats. Meanwhile, parliament approved Mehrdad Akhlaghi as defence minister. He warned Washington’s allies would suffer “enormous damage” if the US resumed its campaign.
On the ground, Saudi civil defence said an enemy projectile injured six people in Najran. In addition, it damaged three houses and three vehicles. In addition, Houthi media reported an alleged Saudi airstrike on a home in Yemen’s Saada governorate. According to them, it killed nine people and wounded 16, most of them women and children.
What it means for Pakistan
For Pakistan, Netanyahu’s pledge is not distant noise. Indeed, Israel and the United States have both named Iran as their target. Moreover, Iran is Pakistan’s western neighbour, sharing a long and restless border.
Islamabad has spent the weekend working the phones. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar spoke to Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. He stressed dialogue and diplomacy. Separately, he condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia in a call with Egypt’s foreign minister. In addition, he reaffirmed full solidarity with Riyadh.
Under the Makkah defence pact, an attack on one signatory is treated as an attack on all. A Middle East security analyst spoke to Al Jazeera. He said Pakistan and Turkiye would likely be Saudi Arabia’s first port of call. This would apply if Riyadh sought military help. At the same time, Pakistan has suspended trade with Iran at the Gabd-Rimdan and Taftan crossings.
Any US-Israeli move against Iran would land directly on Pakistan’s doorstep. It would hit through oil prices and the safety of Pakistanis working in the Gulf. In addition, it would pressure Islamabad to pick a side between Riyadh and Tehran.
FAQ
When is Israel’s parliamentary election?
Israel votes on October 27, 2026. It is the first national election since the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023. Moreover, polls point to a tight race.
What did Trump’s endorsement say?
In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump called Netanyahu “Strong, Brave, and Brilliant”. In addition, he offered his “Complete and Total Endorsement”. Full coverage.
Why does Netanyahu’s pledge matter for Pakistan?
Pakistan is bound to Saudi Arabia by the Makkah defence pact. It also shares a long border with Iran. Islamabad has condemned Houthi attacks on the kingdom while urging dialogue with Tehran. Moreover, any escalation would affect oil prices and Pakistanis working in the Gulf.
What is the latest from the wider region?
Egypt’s parliament delayed a vote on authorising military support for Saudi Arabia until Monday. Meanwhile, the UAE’s vice president met Saudi Arabia’s defence minister in Abu Dhabi. In addition, Saudi civil defence reported six injured in a projectile strike on Najran.
