Trump rules out Sunday strike on Iran as Netanyahu warns Israel faces imminent existential threat

What Happened

On Sunday, US President Donald Trump said the United States would not launch a military strike against Iran "today," responding to a reporter's question about whether an attack could take place as soon as that day; he did not rule out military action at a later date. Trump added that the US is actively monitoring activity at Iran's Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site as well as three other sites that were allegedly destroyed in previous strikes, saying, "There isn't much activity going on there." Earlier on Sunday, Trump said he had not yet decided whether to renew strikes against Iran, framing the decision as "Should I finish the job - which would be very easy to do - or should I reach an agreement?" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on X/Twitter that Israel is facing "real and tangible existential danger" coming from Iran and that only a small window of time remains for Israel and the US to act and completely defeat Iran. Netanyahu also shared a video from one of the IDF's anti-missile batteries warning enemies they would "absorb strikes out of proportion, stronger than you can even imagine." US officials told The Jerusalem Post that a joint US-Israeli strike on Iran is "not a question of 'if,' but 'when.'" One official said Trump has decided he wants to carry out a significant strike against Iran, another said the president was "very close" to escalating US action, and the prevailing assessment in Washington is that Trump will hold off on a final decision until after the November 3 midterm elections.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The statements signal potential imminent US-Israeli military escalation against Iran's nuclear program and broader Iranian targets, which could widen the regional conflict beyond Israel-Palestine and draw in Hezbollah and other Iran-aligned actors. Trump's conditional remarks and Netanyahu's existential framing raise pressure on Iran, while unnamed US officials indicate a strike is likely, making the timing highly consequential for Middle East security.

Watch For

Watch for Trump's final decision after the November 3 midterm elections; any new activity at Pickaxe Mountain or the three other allegedly destroyed Iranian nuclear sites; Israeli cabinet or IDF statements on Iran; possible unilateral or joint US-Israeli strikes under the "Epic Fury" moniker; and any Iranian response or diplomatic overtures for a deal.