Trump says he may endorse candidate in Israeli elections

U.S. President Donald Trump said he may endorse a candidate in Israel’s upcoming elections but indicated that he currently intends to stay out of the race.

“I think it's most appropriate for me to stay out of Israeli elections, but I may endorse somebody,” Trump said, according to Fox News Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst, who posted the remarks on X, Caliber.Az reports.

President Trump told Fox News that Iran should "put up the white flag of surrender."

"I have no time schedule," Trump added. "I'm not in a hurry...the midterms have nothing to do with my thinking."

The President confirmed there is a direct backchannel with IRGC officials.… pic.twitter.com/OAHFVWSQFs

— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) August 17, 2026

Trump also said there had been positive progress in efforts to persuade Hamas to disarm, while arguing that Israel should not currently be carrying out strikes in Gaza.

“We have our own relationship with Hamas. They are giving up their guns.”

On Iran, Trump said Tehran should surrender and rejected the idea that his decisions were being influenced by the U.S. midterm elections.

“I have no time schedule,” Trump added. “I'm not in a hurry...the midterms have nothing to do with my thinking.”

Trump also confirmed that Washington maintains a direct backchannel with officials from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

“They're good poker players, but they're dying.”

The president was also asked about talks between Iran and Oman over control of the Strait of Hormuz.

“If Oman gets in the way, we'll bomb the shit out of them.”

By Sabina Mammadli