Trump raises doubts over renewed attacks on Iran

What Happened

On Monday, President Donald Trump raised doubts about a threatened resumption of US military strikes against Iran, replying "no" when asked at the Washington Reflecting Pool whether he was considering striking Iran after Tuesday's midterm elections. He said he believed Iran wanted to make a deal and that an agreement "could happen," while Iranian negotiators were in Doha on Sunday for a third consecutive day of talks with Qatari mediators. Trump also claimed recent fighting had been limited after earlier sweeping strikes killed Iranian leaders: "We wiped out their leaders, first level of leaders, the second level of leaders." Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone on Saturday as Washington prepared for a possible resumption of strikes, The Wall Street Journal reported. Axios, citing one Israeli and one US source, reported that Netanyahu pressed Trump to resume strikes immediately after Tuesday's elections, while Trump preferred to continue diplomatic negotiations; the Israeli source called the call "tough," the US source "direct." Trump on Sunday described the call as "very good" and said negotiations were progressing but questioned Iran's reliability. He said Washington still needed to address "one or two" remaining sites, including the suspected nuclear facility at Pickaxe Mountain, and could strike them "within 10 minutes." US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday that Trump would prefer to solve it diplomatically but has "incredible confidence" in military action if needed.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The reported divergence between Trump and Netanyahu over whether to resume strikes or continue Doha-track diplomacy could determine whether the US-Israel-Iran standoff escalates or moves toward a negotiated settlement. Trump's mention of a suspected nuclear facility at Pickaxe Mountain, combined with his bottom-line demand that Iran never possess a nuclear weapon, signals that unresolved nuclear sites remain a trigger for possible military action. The timing around Tuesday's US midterm elections also links the decision to domestic political pressure, including gasoline prices tied to the conflict.

Watch For

Monitor whether Trump authorizes strikes after Tuesday's US midterm elections, especially against the Pickaxe Mountain site or the other unnamed remaining facility. Watch for further Iranian negotiator meetings in Doha with Qatari mediators and any formal US-Iran diplomatic framework. Netanyahu's response to continued negotiations and whether Washington and Israel align on resuming military action will be key indicators. Also look for public statements from Trump, Rubio, or Netanyahu that clarify the 'one or two' remaining sites and the status of the reported Saturday call.