Trump says renewed Iran strikes unlikely amid negotiations

On November 9, US President Donald Trump expressed doubt about the possibility of renewed conflict with Iran, stating that it was "highly unlikely" so long as diplomatic negotiations continued. Recent reports suggested that hostilities could resume following the US midterm elections taking place that week. Trump indicated a willingness to conduct a thorough military operation, claiming that he had struck Iran "really hard" and left a lasting impact.

However, any decision to resume hostilities would hinge on Iran's commitment to signing a robust agreement. Trump previously admitted that the war with Iran contributed to the Republican Party's significant loss in the midterm elections. In a recent CNN interview, Trump emphasized that Iran's economic struggles, exemplified by an annual inflation rate of 301 percent, would compel its leaders to accept a peace agreement on the United States' terms.

He boasted about the economic and military pressure exerted on Iran. Yet, on the same day, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi hinted at a temporary halt in peace talks due to the political shockwave generated by the Democratic Party's landslide victory in the US elections. Araghchi noted that the delay in the negotiation process allowed time for the US political landscape to reassess the results.

Iran's defiance of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route, has contributed to the strain on oil supply and the rise in gasoline prices in the United States. This issue has further fueled the unfavorable perception of the ongoing war.