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Trump warns Hamas, Iran after Netanyahu talks

Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu presented a united front following talks in Mar-a-Lago in Florida yesterday
Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu presented a united front following talks in Mar-a-Lago in Florida yesterday

US President Donald Trump has warned Iran of fresh strikes and said Hamas would have "hell to pay" if it fails to disarm in Gaza.

His comments come after a meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday.

Speaking at a news conference with Mr Netanyahu in Florida, Mr Trump threatened to "eradicate" any attempt by Tehran to rebuild its nuclear program or ballistic missile arsenal following US and Israeli strikes earlier this year.

Mr Trump also downplayed reports of tensions with Mr Netanyahu over the second stage of the fragile Gaza ceasefire.

He said Iran "may be behaving badly" and was looking at new nuclear sites to replace those targeted by US strikes, as well as restoring its missiles.

Mr Trump added that the US response "may be more powerful than last time," and that he believed Iran was still interested in a deal with Washington on its nuclear and missile programs.

A top political adviser to Iran's supreme leader said that any aggression against the country would be met with an "immediate harsh response".

"Iran's #Missile_Capability and defense are not containable or permission-based. Any aggression will face an immediate #Harsh_Response beyond its planners' imagination," Ali Shamkhani wrote on X.

US President Donald Trump speaks during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Donald Trump said there would be 'hell to pay' if Hamas did not disarm

Tehran denies that it is seeking nuclear weapons.

Mr Trump also said that Israel had "lived up" to its commitments and that the onus was on Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Hamas's armed wing reiterated earlier yesterday that it would not surrender its weapons.

"If they don't disarm as they agreed to do, then there will be hell to pay for them," Mr Trump told reporters.

"They have to disarm in a fairly short period of time," he added.

Mr Netanyahu said his meeting with Mr Trump had been "very productive" and announced that Israel was awarding the US leader its highest civilian honor - the first time it has gone to a non-Israeli citizen.

Mr Trump, the self-proclaimed "president of peace," has been keen to move onto the next phase of the Gaza truce, which would see a Palestinian technocratic government installed and the deployment of an international stabilisation force.

While some White House officials fear Mr Netanyahu is slow-walking the process, Mr Trump said he had "very little difference" with the Israeli premier and was "not concerned about anything that Israel's doing."