President Donald Trump left open renewed U.S. strikes against Iran on Sunday as Tehran described ongoing Qatar-mediated contacts, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump had made no decision.
At a rally in Dubuque, Iowa, Trump said he wanted to save lives but that the United States might have to “give them the hammer.” He predicted the conflict would end “very soon,” without specifying when.
Trump described his Saturday call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “very good talk” and said they discussed Iran. The Associated Press cited a person briefed on the call who said Netanyahu pressed for strikes, while Trump made no commitment. Axios cited Israeli and U.S. sources who described a split over timing: Netanyahu favored action after the Nov. 3 midterm elections, while Trump was inclined to give negotiations more time. AP said the White House did not directly answer questions about the discussion and Netanyahu’s office had not commented.
Rubio said Saturday that Trump had not made a decision and preferred diplomacy, AP reported. In a Monday phone interview with Axios, Trump said “there is no rush” to decide whether to resume fighting.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said an agreement required Washington to answer outstanding questions from Tehran and that no direct meeting with U.S. officials was planned. Press TV reported his remarks and said indirect consultations through Qatar were continuing. AP said Iranian negotiators in Qatar were discussing a conditional proposal that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz within two days if Washington met Iran’s conditions.
Separately, Axios reported that Qatari mediators had developed a three-day set of steps aimed at bringing Washington and Tehran back to direct talks. Axios said Qatar’s mediators were still awaiting replies from Washington and Tehran.
AP reported that a regional official said U.S. partners in the Middle East feared further strikes could unsettle the region. AP said more talks were planned for the week of Nov. 2, which includes Tuesday’s U.S. midterm elections.
