Trump expects talks with Iran to resume in coming week

US President Donald Trump indicated on Sunday that he anticipates discussions with Iran to recommence within the upcoming week, following his rejection of a truce proposal presented by Tehran. During an interview with Axios, Trump expressed that while both sides desire a deal, it cannot be the same agreement he would have approved a year ago.

Iran reportedly submitted a proposal to the United States on Friday, aiming to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but Trump dismissed it, asserting that the Iranian leaders sought the deal due to their desperate situation. They had overestimated their influence, according to Trump.

Axios reported that indirect conversations between US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, along with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, took place outside the UN General Assembly in New York. These forthcoming talks would be facilitated by Qatari mediators, as per Axios. In his interview, Trump mentioned that the maximal amount of oil since the war's onset had passed through the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, surpassing 20 million barrels.

This maritime corridor, through which one-fifth of the world's oil and gas flowed prior to the conflict, lies at the core of the dispute ignited by US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February.

Iran has monopolized control over the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Washington to impose a blockade on Iranian ports. Trump was subsequently questioned about his consideration of resuming strikes against Iran. He responded that he frequently contemplates the matter, though he did not disclose any definitive plans in the interview.

It should be noted that according to The Wall Street Journal, the US president is contemplating resuming strikes on Iran following the November 3 midterm elections, as he confronts mounting public disapproval of the war in the Middle East, which has caused fuel prices to skyrocket.