Araghchi accuses Netanyahu of dragging US into war to avoid prison

ISTANBUL — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu late on Sunday of trying to push the United States into another war with Iran to avoid prison, according to Anadolu Agency.

Araghchi made the remarks in a post on the US social media platform X, Anadolu reported. The agency said he also warned Washington against renewed military action.

What Araghchi said

"Netanyahu is driving America into another war to stay out of jail," Araghchi wrote, according to Anadolu. The agency said he accused the Israeli leader of disregarding the consequences for Israel and for US President Donald Trump.

Araghchi also referred to the earlier round of fighting. Anadolu quoted him as writing: "Last time you wanted to 'finish the job,' Iran emerged even stronger." He then added a warning, in words Anadolu reproduced in full:

"Want to try your luck again? Be our guest. But be careful; we have unfinished jobs too." — Abbas Araghchi, Iranian foreign minister, on X

Anadolu's report did not say to whom the post was addressed beyond Netanyahu and the United States. It did not give any further detail on what Araghchi meant by "unfinished jobs."

Trump's endorsement

According to Anadolu, Araghchi's post came after Trump endorsed Netanyahu earlier on Sunday. The endorsement was ahead of Israel's elections, which Anadolu said will be held on 27 October.

The agency said Trump praised the partnership between the two leaders in confronting Iran. It also said he warned that Washington might have to take on the task itself if Israelis chose a different leader.

Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, as quoted by Anadolu: "If Israel has the wrong Leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so." Anadolu noted that "Bibi" is Netanyahu's nickname.

Anadolu did not report any response from Netanyahu or his office to Araghchi's post. It also did not report any reaction from the White House to the Iranian foreign minister's remarks. The agency's report is the only source for this account, and Zenga News has not independently verified the posts.

Netanyahu's legal position and the election

Anadolu said Netanyahu has headed the current government since late 2022. It described that government as the most right-wing in Israel's history.

The agency said Netanyahu is standing trial in Israel on corruption charges. According to Anadolu, those charges could lead to prison sentences if he is convicted. It also said he has been wanted since 2024 by an international court over alleged war crimes in Gaza.

Araghchi's accusation links these legal proceedings to the question of war with Iran. The claim that Netanyahu is seeking conflict to avoid prison is Araghchi's own assertion, as reported by Anadolu. The agency did not present evidence for it, and it did not say whether Israeli officials have addressed it.

Anadolu also reported that opposition parties in Israel have stepped up coordination. It said they are trying to replace Netanyahu's government through the ballot box in the 27 October vote.

Background

Anadolu said the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on 28 February. Tehran responded with retaliatory attacks, according to the agency.

A ceasefire followed in April, Anadolu reported. A framework agreement between the sides was reached in June. The agency said fighting later resumed as negotiations between Washington and Tehran stalled.

Anadolu did not describe the current state of the fighting in the article. It did not say where military activity is taking place or give casualty figures for any phase of the conflict. Zenga News therefore cannot provide those details from this source.

Araghchi's reference to a time when Israel wanted to "finish the job" appears to relate to the earlier phase of the conflict, though Anadolu did not spell out that link. The agency framed his message as both a warning to Washington and a response to Trump's statement about the Israeli election.

The exchange shows how the war between the United States, Israel and Iran has become part of the political debate around Israel's vote, according to the account Anadolu gave. Trump's post tied the choice of Israel's leader to the question of who would act against Iran. Araghchi's reply tied Netanyahu's personal legal exposure to the risk of a new war.

Neither claim has been tested by independent reporting in the source material. Anadolu's report quotes only Araghchi and Trump, and both statements were made on social media rather than in formal briefings or official documents.