U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Israel and the Middle East "would not exist" if he "had not prevented" Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, an argument he once again used to defend the bombings against the Persian regime.
In a message posted on Truth Social, the president claimed this is an opinion that "nobody wants to say, but everyone knows is true." His remarks came after questions raised by Vice President JD Vance about the war in Iran.
Vance wrote on Wednesday on X that "the reason" for the Republican defeat in Tuesday's midterm elections was the conflict with Iran, and noted that, according to internal Republican Party data, the problem was not abstention: some of those who voted for Trump in 2024 chose Democratic candidates this time.
Trump also held a phone conversation on Friday with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to discuss efforts aimed at preventing an escalation in the Middle East. Qatari authorities are participating as mediators in the war.
The Emir's office reported that both addressed "the latest developments in international initiatives, especially Qatar's efforts to bring together the positions of the parties involved and support the negotiation process." The statement added that the goal of these efforts is to "pave the way and..."
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U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with members of the media at President Donald J. Trump International Airport, in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., November 6, 2026 (REUTERS/Eric Lee)U.S. President Donald Trump said this Friday that Israel and the Middle East "would not exist" if he "had not prevented" Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, an argument he once again used to defend the bombings against the Persian regime. In a message posted on Truth Social, the president claimed that this is an opinion that "nobody wants to say, but everybody knows is true." His words came after the questions raised by Vice President JD Vance about the war in Iran. Vance wrote on Wednesday on X that "the reason" for the Republican defeat in Tuesday's midterm elections was the conflict with Iran and noted that, according to internal Republican Party data, the problem was not abstention: part of those who voted for Trump in 2024 chose Democratic candidates this time. Trump also held a phone conversation on Friday with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to discuss efforts aimed at preventing an escalation in the Middle East. Qatari authorities are participating as mediators in the war. The Emir's office reported that both addressed "the latest developments in international initiatives, especially Qatar's efforts to bring closer the positions of the parties involved and support the negotiation process." The statement added that the goal of these efforts is to "pave the way for a comprehensive agreement that ends the crisis and achieves security and stability in the region." The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 (Maxim Shipenkov/AP)After the call became known, the barrel of Brent crude for January delivery fell 0.71% and stood at USD 97, after surpassing USD 100 in the early hours of Friday. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) offered a reward of USD 20 million and possible relocation in exchange for information about Iran's nuclear program. The call covers data on the facilities, equipment, and personnel related to that program, including members of the Iranian scientific community. "This information may relate to its facilities, equipment, and associated personnel, such as those belonging to the scientific community," the military body said in a statement posted on X. Last Saturday, Trump claimed that the U.S. had "neutralized Iran's nuclear capability," although he acknowledged that some targets remained to be addressed. "We still have to deal with, I would say, one or two sites, but we can do that in 10 minutes," he told reporters. Trump specifically referred to Pickaxe Mountain, a site that U.S. intelligence services suspect houses an underground nuclear complex. Tehran denies that any nuclear-related activity takes place there and asserts its right to develop nuclear energy for civilian purposes. A satellite view shows the tunnel entrances at Pickaxe Mountain of the Natanz nuclear facility, near Natanz, Iran, June 30, 2026 (Vantor/Handout via REUTERS)The Centcom offer became known as negotiations to end the war continue, under Qatari mediation, despite recent U.S. bombings against the Iranian island of Qeshm, located in the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on eight Canadian financial entities that it accused of facilitating asset transfers to and from Iran for companies and other illicit actors related to Tehran. The measure, ordered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), targeted currency exchange houses based in Ontario and British Columbia. According to the Treasury, these firms offer digital asset exchange and mechanisms for sending money between Iran and Canada. Among the companies included on the list is Diverse Trade Inc, which operates under the trade name Million Exchange. The U.S. department said the company enabled transfers of "hundreds of thousands of dollars to addresses linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or to other terrorism-related addresses." The Treasury also accused the company of "laundering proceeds from drug trafficking by using cash generated from drug sales to purchase digital assets that were then returned to the traffickers." Ryan Wedding, the Canadian former Olympic athlete accused of drug trafficking. (Europa Press)Among the firm's clients would be the drug trafficker and Canadian former Olympic athlete Ryan Wedding, according to information released by Washington. The department headed by Scott Bessent stated that it will continue to pursue the financial channels of the "Iranian regime" anywhere in the world and questioned Canada's role as a haven for those structures. "Canada cannot be a safe haven for illicit financial facilitators providing sanctions evasion services to the Iranian regime and its representatives," the Treasury said. (With information from EFE and AFP)