U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters as he arrives to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City, ON September 22, 2026.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

“They want to make a deal. We’ll see how that works ‌out,” ⁠U.S. President Donald Trump said, referring to Iran, reiterating past comments. File
| Photo Credit: AP

U.S. President Donald Trump’s war with ‌Iran has recently entered its seventh month with no immediate end in sight. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Top ​aides to President Donald Trump are pushing to keep the Iran war from escalating before November’s midterm elections to staunch Republican electoral losses, four people familiar with the discussions said, a strategy already under strain ‌as the U.S. and Iran exchanged back-and-forth attacks overnight.

White House officials will consider ramping up military action after the November 3 vote, said the ​sources, who requested anonymity to describe internal thinking, though any return to full-scale conflict is far from a given. The U.S. military said its latest strikes were ⁠retaliation for recent attacks on American forces and marine traffic in the region.

West Asia conflict LIVE updates – September 2, 2026

For now, the sources said, the administration wants to rely on applying more economic pressure on Iran in an effort to extract concessions in any future negotiation that months of military action failed to secure.

“We are keeping the pressure on Iran,” one White House official said. “But November is a priority.”

Keeping the war mostly contained until then would ‌help prevent the unpopular conflict from dominating the news as Mr. Trump’s Republicans campaign to defend thin majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives, said the sources, three of whom are White House officials.

Only 31% of Americans approve of the war, while some 63% disapprove, according to a late August Reuters/Ipsos poll, and voters are ‌particularly unhappy about high gas prices.

A tactical pause could also give the U.S. military some breathing room to replenish its heavily depleted munitions stockpiles, the sources said.

But pulling ‌off ⁠the play-it-cool strategy looks more difficult by the day. While the conflict remains much less intense than it was during the spring or during a ⁠flare-up in the middle of the summer, both sides have exchanged tit-for-tat strikes in recent days.

Iran’s leaders, emboldened after months of disrupting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and facing little internal unrest, will likely keep striking at U.S. and allied Gulf targets, including military bases, vessels and energy infrastructure, at least periodically, analysts said.

The U.S. will face pressure to retaliate, potentially leading to an escalatory spiral that brings both sides back to a full-scale air war – whether ​the administration wants it or not.

Over the weekend, the U.S. struck rocket ‌launchers on Iran’s Larak Island, prompting Iran to fire missiles toward Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. The U.S. hit more Iranian targets around the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday in the biggest outbreak of fighting since July, a fresh outburst of violence that killed military personnel and civilians in Iran.

“The regime has every incentive to disrupt the ‘calm’ – which is no real calm, after all, since the administration’s explicit aim is to increase economic pressure massively on Iran,” said Barbara Leaf, who served as the top State Department official for West Asia under former President Joe Biden.

Another wild card is Mr. Trump himself.

The president’s approval rating has fallen from 40% to 33% since the conflict began, according ​to Reuters/Ipsos polling. Sources said he is not currently interested in escalation, but he is famously prone to changing his mind and could change course in response to events.

Mr. Trump threatened on Tuesday (September 1, 2026) to escalate the conflict if Iran hits back against the latest U.S. strikes. “If the failed Nation of Iran ⁠retaliates for this very justified attack, they will be hit again at a much harder and higher level, but it will not be the biggest attack of them all, that is waiting in the wings,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Constrained by logistics and politics

Mr. Trump has publicly said the upcoming elections were not factoring into this Iran strategy. But as the war enters its ‌seventh month, his White House finds itself increasingly constrained by logistical and political realities.

“The timetable has changed,” one senior White House official said. Another added that the “calendar is driving Iran.”

Reuters reported in August that the military had used “virtually all” of its supply of certain precision missiles. The Washington Post reported on Sunday that the heads of the Army, Navy and Air Force warned Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth in a written assessment that prolonging the war was unsustainable and would diminish the military’s readiness in other theaters.

The Pentagon has said the military had “everything it needs to execute” its mission.

“President Trump has destroyed Iran’s military capabilities and is crippling what’s left of its abysmal economy with the most powerful naval blockade in world history and crushing sanctions,” White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales said. “The President will continue to advance America’s interests at home and abroad and will never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”

America’s Gulf allies – some of whom had pushed ‌for aggressive action against Iran earlier in the war to weaken their main regional adversary – roundly urged the White House to deescalate after a recent round of attacks in late July, regional diplomats said.

Currently, two White House officials ​said, Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are among the high-ranking Trump aides who are on board with the idea of trying to keep the Iran conflict relatively “quiet” until November.

In recent weeks, administration officials have instead intensified an economic isolation campaign, during which the U.S. has threatened to slap ⁠countries that trade with Iran with massive sanctions, while maintaining its own blockade on the Strait of Hormuz.

The trade-focused strategy, however, has its own limits, analysts and officials said.

Iran has spent decades under ⁠layers of U.S. and international sanctions that have battered its economy but have not deterred its leadership.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday that the pressure campaign may cause Iran to lash out militarily, raising the prospect that the economic campaign could itself stoke military escalation.

Additionally, some major world powers, like China, have not joined Washington’s bid ‌to isolate Iran, prompting questions about the campaign’s effectiveness.

“The purpose of the new sanctions package is meant to add economic pressure on top of that being caused by the blockade to force Iran back to the table, after the administration determined it was a better option than returning to kinetic action,” said Alex Plitsas, a senior fellow at the ​Atlantic Council.

“Iran is concerned about it, but China has already indicated that it’s not willing to play ball, which calls into question how effective it will be.”

U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon and described the Strait of Hormuz as “American territory” amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, Al Jazeera reported.

“They want to make a deal so badly, we don’t even know if we want [a deal] because I view the Strait of Hormuz as an American territory right now, it’s an American territory,” Mr. Trump said, as per Al Jazeera.

Earlier, speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews before departing for Myrtle Beach, Mr. Trump had claimed that the United States had “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz and supported the idea of declaring the strategic waterway a U.S. territory.

-ANI

U.S. President Donald Trump spent six months threatening to destroy Iran, encouraging regime change, overseeing military strikes and warning that “all Hell” could break loose. Yet, he ended the crisis, for now, by signing a memorandum of understanding with Tehran. The period saw Mr. Trump taking several flip-flops, including an offer of support for Iranian protesters, a threat to erase Iran’s civilisation, a claim that Tehran had already seen regime change and a preliminary deal with Iran, pending more talks.

The story began on the streets of Iran. The country saw street protests in January, triggered by a deepening economic crisis. Some protesters called for an end to the Islamic Republic itself and in parts of the country, the protests turned violent. On January 2, as the crisis was spreading across Iran’s main cities, Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social, “If Iran shoots and violently kills peaceful protesters, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go.”

Within days, Iran cracked down on the protests, which it said were triggered by “rioters” and “terrorists”. According to authorities, at least 3,000 people were killed.

A few weeks later, Mr. Trump told Iranians “help is on the war”. “Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING – TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!!… HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!!” he wrote in a post.

Here, Mr. Trump was not merely expressing concern about the events unfolding inside Iran. He was directly encouraging Iranians to topple their government.

The message was clear: the U.S. was openly sympathetic to forces seeking change within Iran. Mr. Trump sent U.S. warships, fighter jets and aircraft carriers to the region.

On February 28, when Iran was holding talks with the U.S., Mr. Trump, in an eight-minute video, announced the launch of ‘Operation Epic Fury’, a major military campaign, along with Israel’s Operation Roaring Lion. American and Israeli forces jointly struck Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile sites, military centres and infrastructure in one of the largest military operations in West Asia in decades. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, was assassinated, along with several other top leaders.

Even as the bombs fell, Mr. Trump framed the campaign as something larger than a military operation. Addressing Iranians directly, he declared, “When we are finished, take over your government”. The message was clear: America and Israel wanted regime change.

Iran, however, was swift to retaliate. Ballistic missiles and drones targeted U.S. military bases across the Persian Gulf, while Tehran also announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints.

Hot and cold rhetorics

For weeks, Mr. Trump warned Iran against escalation while Tehran vowed resistance. On March 6, he demanded Iran’s “unconditional surrender”. But Iran kept hitting back. Lebanon was drawn into the conflict as Hezbollah entered the war. Almost every Gulf nation felt its impact. Concerns over global supply chains intensified as Hormuz remained closed. In March, behind the scenes, diplomacy also took stage. Pakistan emerged as a crucial intermediary, facilitating communication between Washington and Tehran. But threats continued.

On March 22, Mr. Trump issued one of his starkest warnings. “If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!”

But Iran did not budge. Before the deadline expired, Mr. Trump changed the tone. “I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE COUNTRY OF IRAN, HAVE HAD, OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS, VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST…,” he wrote.

This is now a Trump classic. First he issues wild threats, and then he backs off.

The pattern continued. On March 27, Mr. Trump again expressed optimism about the talks, saying negotiations with Iran were progressing at a good pace. He also announced that, at Tehran’s request, he was pausing the threatened destruction of Iranian power plants for 10 days. Such messages suggested that Washington now saw diplomacy as a viable path forward. Yet even as he spoke of negotiations, Mr. Trump kept military pressure firmly on the table.

On April 1, he claimed that Iran’s new leadership had requested a ceasefire. Three days later, he issued another ultimatum, warning that time was running out. He didn’t stop there. On April 5, Easter Sunday, he posted: “Open the F*****’ Strait, you crazy bast****, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH!”

For observers attempting to understand Washington’s strategy, the signals were increasingly difficult to decode. That uncertainty reached its peak on April 7.

Twists, turns in tone

In what would become one of the most extraordinary moments of the entire crisis, Mr. Trump posted: “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again… We have Complete and Total Regime Change…” The statement sent shockwaves, but only for Mr. Trump to announce what he called a “double-sided CEASEFIRE” within hours.

The ceasefire, however, did not mean the pressure campaign had ended.

On April 11, Mr. Trump got back to issuing threats again. He warned Tehran against testing American patience and added that military options remained available if negotiations stalled. On April 12, he said “most points were agreed to, but the only point that really mattered, NUCLEAR, was not.” After talks in Islamabad failed to reach any breakthrough, Mr. Trump imposed a naval blockade on Iran, while holding on to the ceasefire.

By April 17, after he announced a ceasefire in Lebanon, Mr. Trump said in all capital letters: “The Strait of Hormuz is completely open and ready for business and full passage, but the naval blockade will remain in full force… until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete.” But the ceasefire in Lebanon never held, with Israel continuing its strikes. And Iran held its tight control over the Strait. High tensions led to occasional military skirmishes over the strait.

Nevertheless, throughout April and May, negotiations accelerated. By late May, Mr. Trump suggested a deal was close. “It will only be a Great Deal for all or, no Deal at all.”

In early June, he “called off” another planned bombing of Iran to allow talks another chance. Negotiations had by then expanded beyond the immediate crisis and were focused on shipping access, the future of Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief, energy security and long-term guarantees regarding the Strait of Hormuz. By mid-June, Mr. Trump declared that a memorandum of understanding had been reached.

The agreement sought to end months of hostilities by ensuring freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, laying down a framework for addressing Iran’s nuclear programme through negotiations and creating a pathway for easing of sanctions in return for Iranian commitments.

“The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all! I hereby fully authorise the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorise the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade,” Mr. Trump posted on June 16. “Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow!”

While Mr. Trump hailed that the deal will bring “peace and security to the whole region”, one issue had quietly disappeared from Washington’s public messaging: regime change.

Mr. Trump began this crisis by encouraging Iranians to challenge their government, oversaw a military campaign that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, repeatedly spoke of regime change and warned that “all Hell” could break loose.

Yet, he ended it by celebrating an agreement with the very Islamic Republic he once appeared determined to overthrow.

Raheleh, an Iranian woman who lost two of her children in Minab school strike on February 28, reacts at Minab school in Minab, Iran, May 21, 2026. Photo: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters

The United States warned on Saturday (May 30, 2026) that it was “more than capable” of resuming war with Iran after U.S. President Donald Trump said any peace deal must adhere to his red lines, including Tehran never being able to develop nuclear weapons.

Also read | Trump ponders whether to move forward with Iran deal but hasn’t yet decided

The White House had signalled that Mr. Trump was close to a decision on an initial deal after weeks of mixed signals in tenuous negotiations, though Tehran denied there was a final agreement on ending the West Asia conflict that has jolted the global economy.

U.S. sources had told AFP that the deal was waiting on Mr. Trump’s sign-off, but the U. S. President had made no decision after a two-hour meeting in the White House Situation Room on Friday (May 29, 2026) in Washington.

Meanwhile, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, while attending a major Asia defence summit in Singapore, said on Saturday (May 30, 2026) that Washington could restart the war if it wanted.

“Our ability to recommence if necessary is (that) we are more than capable, our stockpiles are more than suited for that, both there and around the globe because of how we balance exquisite and more plentiful munitions,” he said.

That echoed the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which posted on X that American forces “remain present and vigilant across the region.”

The efforts to strike a deal mediated by Pakistan, were thrown into question this week by U.S. strikes on the southern Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, countered by retaliatory fire from Iran.

Nevertheless, diplomacy continued, including in a parallel process to stop fighting in Lebanon, which Iran has insisted be included in any formal end to the war, and where Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israeli forces had advanced further even as military delegations from both nations met at the Pentagon in Washington.

Mr. Trump’s priorities in any deal included Iran agreeing to never develop nuclear weapons and the reopening of the blockaded Strait of Hormuz maritime route, he said in a social media post in which he also announced the Situation Room meeting.

“President Trump will only make a deal that is good for America and satisfies his red lines,” a White House official told AFP after the meeting.

“Iran can never possess a nuclear weapon,” the official added.

Competing conditions

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei pushed back on Mr. Trump’s conditions, telling state media that the Islamic Republic “said goodbye to the language of ‘must’ 47 years ago.”

Exchanges of messages were continuing, he added, but “no final agreement has been reached yet.”

In a phone call with the Emir of Qatar, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran was ready to achieve a “dignified framework” to end the war, according to state news agency IRNA.

In his post, Mr. Trump said Tehran would remove mines from the Strait of Hormuz and end its closure of the waterway with “no tolls,” while the U.S. would lift its parallel blockade of Iranian ports.

The two countries would also coordinate on removing and destroying Iran’s enriched uranium, he said, adding that “no money will be exchanged, until further notice.”

Iran’s Fars news agency, however, cited sources as saying Tehran was demanding “the immediate release of $12 billion in frozen Iranian assets” before moving to the next phase of negotiations.

On the toll-free reopening of Hormuz, the sources said “no such clause appears in the text of the agreement,” while Mr. Trump’s comment on destroying Iran’s nuclear material “is fundamentally baseless.”

Mr. Ali, a resident of the city of Tonekabon north of Tehran, said there would likely be more strife to come.

“Both sides are speaking in a way that keeps their supporters satisfied. It’s not clear who is telling the truth,” the 49-year-old said.

Fighting in Lebanon

On the war’s other main front in Lebanon, heavy fighting continued.

Mr. Netanyahu announced Friday (May 29, 2026) that Israeli forces had advanced beyond a river that runs around 30 kilometres (20 miles) north of the Lebanon-Israel frontier.

Hezbollah also said its forces launched attacks on northern Israel as well as Israeli troops trying to advance near the medieval Beaufort fortress, also known as Qalaat al-Chakif, a site Israel’s forces had used as a base during their two-decade occupation of southern Lebanon ending in 2000.

A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was supposed to have taken effect on April 17, but has never been observed with both sides accusing each other of violating the truce.

Lebanon was drawn into the war in early March when Tehran-backed Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel over the killing of Iran’s supreme leader in US-Israeli attacks, prompting Israeli strikes and a ground invasion.

Israel and Lebanon began direct talks in April, with a fourth round expected next week in Washington following the meeting of military delegations from both sides on Friday (May 29, 2026).

Published – May 30, 2026 01:38 pm IST

U.S. arms sales to Taiwan take years to process and are unrelated to the war with Iran, a source familiar with the matter ‌said, after a senior U.S. official suggested there was a pause due to ⁠the need to have enough arms for the conflict.

Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, has been waiting for ‌the U.S. to approve an arms sale that Reuters has reported could be worth ‌up to $14 billion.

President Donald Trump sowed ‌uncertainty ⁠in Taipei by saying, after meeting China’s President ⁠Xi Jinping this month, that he was undecided on whether to approve the package.

– Reuters

Republicans struggled Thursday (May 21, 2026) to find the votes to dismiss legislation that would compel President Donald Trump to withdraw from the war with Iran, delaying planned votes on the matter into June.

The House had scheduled a vote on a war powers resolution, brought by Democrats, that would rein in Mr. Trump’s military campaign. But as it became clear that Republicans would not have the numbers to defeat the bill, GOP leaders declined to hold a vote on it.