US Is Not Negotiating With Iran; Something Will Happen Soon

WASHINGTON, Oct 22: US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Washington is not negotiating with Iran, warning that “something one way or the other” would happen “fairly soon” as tensions between the two countries persist.

“No, I think we’re not negotiating,” Trump told reporters upon returning from a rally in South Carolina.

“We are going to have something one way or the other that’ll happen fairly soon,” he said.

“Most people seem to think it’s after the election, and we’re going to see what happens,” Trump added, referring to the US midterm elections.

Earlier, speaking at the rally, Trump said the United States could end its war with Iran immediately but wanted to ensure that any outcome would last.

“It’ll end very soon. We could leave now, but we want to make sure it lasts for a long time,” he said.

Trump claimed that the United States had defeated Iran militarily and financially, insisting that Tehran would “never have a nuclear weapon.”

His remarks came amid a report by The New York Times that the US and Israeli militaries had developed plans for renewed strikes on Iran after the US midterm elections. The report cited US officials and other individuals briefed on the deliberations.

However, the newspaper reported that it remained uncertain whether Trump would approve the proposed strikes, noting that he had repeatedly rejected plans to return to major combat this year.

A White House official told the newspaper that the administration does not comment on military plans “that may or may not exist.”

The United States and Israel launched their war against Iran on February 28, triggering Iranian missile and drone attacks across the region and effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy supplies.

A memorandum of understanding signed by Washington and Tehran in June following mediation by Pakistan and Qatar has since stalled amid disagreements, including over navigation through the strategic waterway.

Trump's latest comments leave the prospect of a diplomatic breakthrough uncertain, while the reported military planning raises the possibility of renewed hostilities after the US midterm election