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The War of Words Heats Up

        The continuing war of words heated up on Sunday, October 18, with the two crucial ‘day of reckoning’ elections in Israel and the U.S. on the doorstep. Here is some of what was reported today by Iran International. 

Netanyahu vows to topple Islamic Republic, says '90%' of job done 
Netanyahu said during a security briefing: “We must bring this regime down once and for all. That is the directive I have given to all the security agencies.” “Our need to eliminate the nuclear threat and the broader threat posed by Iran, by the ayatollahs' regime, stands on its own. To the extent necessary, we will also act independently. We have done so before, and if necessary, we will do so again.” 
Trump threatens to ‘finish the job’ against Iran, endorses Netanyahu 
Trump wrote in a message to the Israeli public on Truth Social: Iran has maintained a decades-old chant of “Death to Israel, Death to America! We will destroy the Little Satan and the Big Satan. It would have been only a question of time until Iran would have put that ominous phrase into effect.” Iran had been “systematically destroyed, both militarily and financially…Unless they change their ways, rapidly, we will soon finish the job.” 
Trump concluded by offering his “Complete and Total Endorsement” of Netanyahu in his upcoming election campaign. 
Netanyahu thanks Trump, says 'Together we will complete the mission' 
Netanyahu immediately wrote: “Thank you, President Trump, for the tremendous support and the joint work. Together we will complete the mission!” 
Netanyahu seeks to draw US back into Iran war, Basij chief says 
Hossein Taeb, head of Iran's Basij militia, said Netanyahu wants to draw the United States back into war with Iran to influence Israel's upcoming Knesset elections. Netanyahu could use renewed conflict to disrupt the elections. 
Iran lawmaker threatens US with 'father missiles' against 'mother bombs' 
Iranian parliament deputy speaker Hamidreza Haji Babaei said: “We have considered every type of American bomb and have plans to counter them. If America brings its mother bombs, we will send our father missiles after it.” 
Mojtaba Khamenei may take different nuclear stance from father 
Iranian lawmaker Ahmad Naderi said Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei may take a different position from his late father on nuclear weapons. “From Mojtaba Khamenei’s conduct, my understanding is that his fatwa will be different.” 

        In contrast to that war talk, here’s what Reuters reported that Iran was also saying. 
Iran urges US to accept proposal to reopen Strait of Hormuz 
Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said while in Baghdad for a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation: "Our situation is clear and based on ⁠the seven-days proposal presented to the US. They shared comments which we are reviewing, but our proposal is still on the table and if there is any honesty on the US part, which there isn't, the way to reopening the Strait of Hormuz is obvious.” 

        Will one of the three parties start a third phase of the war in an attempt to influence the elections? One thing for sure is that in any case gasoline and diesel prices at the pump will not come down much if at all.

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