Trump: War Will End Soon with 'Iran's Surrender'
Washington, Agencies: U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the war would end soon once Iran surrenders, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared Tehran’s readiness for a “world war.” Trump stated he believes the conflict with Iran will be resolved in favor of the United States very soon, acknowledging that additional military strikes before the midterm elections are possible. Speaking on the sidelines of the Presidents Cup golf tournament, he said, “I think what will happen is that we will win this war very soon, and once we achieve victory, oil prices will drop significantly and return to the levels they were at before the war.”
When asked further about the economic isolation campaign and whether Washington is achieving victory through military or economic means, Trump affirmed that the United States is succeeding on both fronts. Specifically asked whether the option of military strikes might be back on the table before the midterms, Trump declined to rule it out. He said, “I don’t want to say that. I don’t want to say that. I mean, it’s possible, but I simply don’t want to state that.”
Meanwhile, in an interview with Axios, Trump said he expects new talks with Iran this week. Sources indicated that Araghchi would begin talks with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff starting today. The Iranian foreign minister also declared Tehran’s readiness for diplomacy or to face any new attack, even if it leads to a “world war,” as he put it. In contrast, Iran’s official news agency, IRNA, reported yesterday that no new talks are scheduled between Iran and the United States. Citing a source close to the Iranian delegation in New York for the UN General Assembly meetings, the agency stated that the delegation does not intend to hold negotiations with the United States.
Mediators are attempting to revive talks between the two countries, but gaps on key issues remain wide, according to Axios. Two regional sources suggested that a new round of indirect dialogue between Washington and Tehran is likely. However, it remains unclear whether the differences between the two sides can be bridged, the site reported.
Araghchi proposed to U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff that the Strait of Hormuz be reopened and nuclear talks resumed within a week, provided that the United States lifts its naval blockade, cancels sanctions on oil sales, and reinstates the ceasefire in the region. Trump rejected this offer. A regional source familiar with the indirect negotiations said that Qatari mediators discussed the original Iranian proposal with both sides and presented each with a middle-ground proposal for review.
