Trump to Axios: "No rush" to decide on bombing Iran again

President Trump told Axios that he is not in a hurry to decide whether to resume fighting in Iran. The midterm elections have been seen as a turning point for the president on the possibility of launching a massive bombing campaign to end the war. However, it appears Trump will continue on dual tracks: allowing negotiations to play out while preparing to go back to war if he believes a deal is not attainable.

Trump stated that while one way or the other, they will take action, there is no rush. Iran's financial situation has been crippled as they have no money and no gasoline, and their people are growing weary. Qatari mediators have drafted an agreement that outlines a three-day sequence of confidence-building measures aimed at resuming direct U.S.-Iran negotiations.

Trump expressed cautious optimism about the negotiations, mentioning that Iran tries to "tap tap tap" him, but they are more eager to reach a deal than previously anticipated. The president is considering three courses of action: making a deal, returning to combat, or continuing the economic pressure campaign. Gulf countries generally support a deal, while Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth advocate for resuming combat.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio advise Trump to maintain the current status quo and let the economic pressure campaign continue. Iran's civilian leadership is hopeful about the prospects of a deal, with President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressing their support for diplomatic efforts.

Russia and China are actively involved in the effort to reach a deal, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese Foreign Minister discussing the negotiations with Iran's Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Gen. Mohsen Rezaei and China urging the U.S. and Iran to resume direct negotiations.