Trump Says US ‘Not Negotiating’ with Iran, Hints Something Will Happen ‘Fairly Soon’
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump doubled down on the US not negotiating with Iran on Wednesday, telling reporters that “something one way or the other” would happen “fairly soon” as tensions over the Strait of Hormuz keep climbing. The blunt remarks landed on the same day Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed a series of vessel strikes in the Gulf.
“No, I think we’re not negotiating,” Trump told reporters after returning from a rally in South Carolina, before boarding Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews. “We are going to have something one way or the other that’ll happen fairly soon.”
“Most people seem to think it’s after the election,” he added, referring to the US midterm elections on November 3.
US not negotiating with Iran: what Trump actually said
Speaking at the South Carolina rally earlier, Trump said the United States could end its war with Iran immediately but wanted to ensure that any outcome would be lasting. “It’ll end very soon. We could leave now, but we want to make sure it lasts for a long time,” he said.
Trump claimed that Washington had defeated Iran militarily and financially, insisting that Tehran would “never have a nuclear weapon.” His comments followed a New York Times report that the US and Israeli militaries had drawn up plans for renewed strikes on Iran after the midterm elections.
The newspaper, citing US officials and others briefed on the discussions, said it remained uncertain whether Trump would approve the plans, noting that he had repeatedly rejected proposals to resume major combat operations this year. A White House official told the newspaper that the administration did not comment on military plans “that may or may not exist.”
IRGC claims vessel strikes near Hormuz
On Thursday, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy claimed it had struck and set ablaze four oil-carrying vessels in the northern Persian Gulf, saying the ships had used an “illegal route” and were tracked while transferring oil. Iranian state media IRIB carried the statement.
The IRGC also claimed that three more vessels hit mines west of the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday night and were stopped. It warned the US military that continued provocations could bring a wider response against American bases in the region, and accused Washington of encouraging vessels to sail through an “illegally mined passage.”
The IRGC statement did not identify the vessels or give damage or casualty details, and the claims could not be independently verified.
Pakistan’s mediation role and the stalled June agreement
The United States and Israel launched their war against Iran on February 28, prompting Tehran to retaliate with missile and drone attacks across the region and effectively close the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies.
A memorandum of understanding reached between Washington and Tehran in June, following mediation by Pakistan and Qatar, has since stalled amid disagreements, including over navigation through the strategic waterway. Pakistan has positioned itself as a channel between the two sides, and Islamabad’s diplomatic role has grown as the confrontation has widened to target Saudi airports and Gulf shipping. Pakistan’s stakes run deep, from energy imports to the Rs500 billion halal food export target agreed with Riyadh this week.
The fallout is already visible: oil prices jumped past $110 as the US ordered diplomats out of Saudi Arabia, while allies moved to bolster the kingdom’s defences. Any renewed strikes after the midterms would land directly on fuel prices and shipping lanes Pakistan depends on.
What did Trump say about Iran?
Trump said the US is “not negotiating” with Iran and that “something one way or the other” will happen “fairly soon”, adding that most people expect developments after the November 3 midterm elections.
What are the reported US-Israel strike plans?
The New York Times reported that the US and Israeli militaries have drawn up plans for renewed strikes on Iran after the midterms. It said Trump may not approve them, noting he has repeatedly rejected resuming major combat operations this year.
What did the IRGC claim on Thursday?
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed four oil vessels were hit and set ablaze in the northern Persian Gulf and three more struck mines near the Strait of Hormuz. The claims, carried by Iranian state media, could not be independently verified.
Where does Pakistan fit in?
Pakistan, alongside Qatar, mediated the June memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran. That agreement has since stalled, but Islamabad remains a diplomatic channel as tensions rise.
*Source: Aaj English TV, with additional reporting from Anadolu Agency.*
