Trump warns Iran of an agreement or total destruction and Ben Gvir seeks to take over the Israeli defense portfolio
Quick Look
US President Donald Trump warned Iran against reaching an agreement or being exposed to comprehensive destruction in his speech before the United Nations, while Israeli Minister Itamar Ben Gvir announced his candidacy to assume the defense portfolio before the legislative elections, and called for changing the prevailing mentality in the Israeli army and encouraging voluntary immigration of Palestinians, coinciding with the start of the US embargo on the Iranian aviation sector and the cancellation of flights from Tehran to Baghdad and Muscat.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Trump's speech before the United Nations and Ben Gvir's statements come in light of escalating tensions in the Middle East, as the United States seeks to exert maximum pressure on Iran through economic sanctions, while Israel is witnessing an internal debate about the directions of its security policies with the approaching legislative elections.
US President Donald Trump, in his speech before the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, gave Iran a choice between reaching an agreement or being subjected to comprehensive destruction. Despite his expectation that his administration would reach an agreement to end the conflict with Tehran after the midterm congressional elections, Trump called on the countries of the world to join him in isolating Iran economically and pushing it to the negotiating table.
This speech came on the eve of the start of the ban that Washington announced to impose on the Iranian aviation sector, starting today, which targets Iranian airline companies and those providing services to them abroad.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir announced on Tuesday that he will seek to assume the defense portfolio in the next government, about a month before the legislative elections, according to Agence France-Presse.
The far-right minister said, during a press conference in Jerusalem: “The reason for my candidacy is that it is time to change the prevailing mentality within the Israeli army.”
Ben Gvir, one of the most prominent pillars of Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, added: “The time has come to change the security doctrine of the State of Israel, with one goal, which is to achieve a decisive victory on all fronts.”
The minister presented a “security plan” that includes “encouraging voluntary migration” of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, disarming the Palestinian Authority, which he describes as “terrorist,” in addition to enhancing support for Israeli soldiers.
In early September, Ben Gvir, known for his provocative statements and movements, presented a proposal to empty the Gaza Strip of its Palestinian population and send them abroad.
His announcement of his candidacy for the position of Defense Minister sparked a wave of condemnation among the Israeli opposition.
Gadi Eisenkot, the prime ministerial candidate, accused his main rival, Netanyahu, on the “X” platform, of having “lost his mind” for accepting “the criminal Ben Gvir” into his coalition.
In his youth, Ben Gvir was previously accused more than 50 times of incitement to hatred or violence.
Today, Tuesday, Tasnim News Agency quoted the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization as saying that it was decided to cancel flights from Tehran to Baghdad and Muscat as of midnight on Wednesday, local time, adding that Iran is working to divert flights heading to Baghdad to Najaf Airport, according to what Reported by Reuters.
The Iranian agency added that the rest of the international flights, including flights to Istanbul, will continue according to the scheduled schedules.
This coincides with the entry into force of new US sanctions targeting the Iranian aviation sector. Tasnim quoted a spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority as saying that “Baghdad and Muscat airports will no longer receive Iranian flights,” adding that the authority is “conducting negotiations to transfer flights heading to Baghdad to Najaf Airport” in Iraq. Another Iranian agency also reported the cancellation of flights, indicating that similar negotiations were continuing with the Sultanate of Oman.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The United States will continue to expand sanctions on Iran if Tehran does not show a willingness to negotiate
Likely · Within weeks
Ben Gvir will face strong opposition in his attempt to take over the defense portfolio due to his controversial statements
Very likely · Within days
Iran will continue to search for alternatives to its canceled flights by negotiating with Iraq and Oman to divert routes
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will Iran respond to American pressure and return to the negotiating table?
- How likely is it that Ben Gvir will succeed in assuming the defense portfolio in the next Israeli government?
- How will the cancellation of Iranian flights to Baghdad and Muscat affect travel and trade in the region?
- What are the expected international reactions to Ben Gvir’s call to encourage voluntary migration of Palestinians?
